Navy Corpsman, 33, Identified After Being Found Dead in Waterway

A 33-year-old U.S. Navy corpsman was found dead near a South Carolina waterway after authorities reported him missing last week.

The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office found the body of Yu Wei Huo near the river’s shore on Sunday, according to multiple reports. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office wrote Sunday on Facebook that it was investigating two separate incidents after bodies were found in waterways in northern Beaufort County. At the time, officials said the incidents were not believed to be related.

The coroner’s office confirmed an autopsy is pending to find out Huo’s cause of death.

The Marine Corps said that Huo, from Flushing, N.Y., worked as a dental assistant and was stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Paris Island at the time of his disappearance, according to Military Times.

He enlisted in the Navy in April 2023 and received the Good Conduct Medal, as well as the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on two separate occasions.

“Out of respect for the sailor’s family and loved ones, no additional details will be released at this time,” the service said in a statement. “The Marine Corps extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow service members affected by this loss.”

Hou’s Disappearance

Huo was last seen at around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 near the Broad River Bridge, the Post and Courier reported, prompting a search by law enforcement and multiple agencies.

The 5-foot, 8-inch man was last seen wearing a gray jacket, black shorts and white shoes, according to the sheriff’s office.

Beaufort Water Search and Rescue (BWSAR) called off the search on Aug. 28 because of storms in the area. It was resumed the following morning, using three boats and a drone to look around the Broad River Bridge.

The search continued until authorities found Huo’s corpse.

Deaths of People in Military Service

Overall, roughly 74% to 76% of all active-duty military deaths occur entirely outside war zones or combat operations, according to data from the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

Over 80% of these deaths stem from accidents like motor vehicle crashes, self-inflicted injuries or natural medical causes.

In the Navy, specifically, an average of 350 to 400 active-duty personnel die each year from all peacetime and civilian-context causes.

Authorities have not named the other individual whose body was discovered in the waterway.

“We appreciate your patience in the release of names from the water deaths this weekend in Beaufort,” wrote the coroner’s office. “The second victim’s name will be released after we confirm identification using DNA testing. This could be confirmed as early as the end of the week. It could possibly be next week, but we will release the name after it has been confirmed.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is also investigating the sailor’s death.