The missing West Point cadet found dead on the military academy’s grounds hinted on Snapchat that he planned to commit suicide, according to a report on Wednesday.
Cadet Kade Kurita left a note on Snapchat shortly before he disappeared Oct. 18 “alluding to the outcome,” a US Army official who asked to remain anonymous told Military.com.
The 20-year-old went missing with his M4 rifle prior to a military skills competition that he had been expected to participate in — prompting a widespread search of the prestigious institution’s grounds.
Search teams discovered his body late Tuesday in the basement of a building on campus, the anonymous official said.
“That’s why we couldn’t find him,” the official said.
It appears Kurita shot himself with a single 5.56mm bullet from the M4 carbine that he’d vanished with, the official said.
West Point officials did not believe that he planned to harm anyone, but had cautioned that he was potentially “a danger to himself.”
It’s unclear where he got the single round, as ammunition is tightly controlled and issued only on live-fire ranges at the school, the source said.
The cause of death is under investigation but foul play is not suspected.
Kurita was known as an excellent student.
“Based on the teachers and professors, he was an exceptional student and good at his military stuff,” the official said.
A private ceremony for fellow cadets and faculty will likely be held at the school.