A 30-year-old U.S. Marine captain and former college baseball standout has died during a military training exercise off the coast of Florida, leaving behind his wife and two young daughters.
Capt. Garrett Pearson, who previously played baseball at Virginia Commonwealth University and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, died October 3 while participating in specialized training to become a Marine Raider, one of the Marine Corps’ elite special operations forces.
According to Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), Pearson was taking part in a swimming exercise near Naval Air Station Key West when he was reported missing. Training personnel immediately launched a search and eventually located him unresponsive in the water.
Rescuers began lifesaving efforts before Pearson was transported to Lower Keys Medical Center, where medical staff continued trying to revive him. Despite those efforts, he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:30 a.m.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, and military officials have not determined what caused him to become unresponsive.
Pearson was assigned to the Marine Raider Training Center and was completing the demanding Individual Training Course, which prepares selected Marines for special operations assignments. The program includes rigorous physical conditioning, water training and other exercises designed to test candidates’ endurance, judgment and ability to operate in challenging environments.
Following the accident, MARSOC suspended the training activity and launched an investigation in coordination with military and civilian authorities, including the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Key West Police Department.
Major General Michael A. Brooks, commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command, expressed his condolences and praised Pearson’s determination to serve at the highest level.
“The loss of Captain Garrett Pearson strikes at the very heart of the Command and our community,” Brooks said.
He described Pearson as a dedicated Marine who had willingly accepted the immense challenge of qualifying for special operations service.
“His dedication, professionalism, and determination were evident to all who trained and served alongside him,” Brooks added. “His passing leaves a void that is deeply felt across our formation.”
Before pursuing a military career, Pearson had already distinguished himself on the baseball field.
Originally from Rockville, Maryland, the 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher attended St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., where he developed into a promising athlete.
His talent attracted professional attention, and the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 34th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft.
Rather than immediately pursuing professional baseball, Pearson continued his education and athletic career at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, where he played for the Rams from 2015 through 2018.
He made an early impression as a freshman, recording a remarkable 0.96 earned run average in eight appearances. During the 2017 season, he posted a 1.50 ERA across six appearances, demonstrating the pitching ability that had first attracted Major League scouts.
His college career included injuries and setbacks, but teammates remembered him for his perseverance, positive attitude and commitment to the people around him.
After graduating from VCU in 2018, Pearson chose a different path, joining the United States Marine Corps and eventually rising to the rank of captain in January 2025.
His former baseball program paid tribute to him following news of his death, remembering a beloved teammate whose dedication to others continued well beyond his playing days.
“Garrett’s selflessness and dedication to others continued after his graduation at VCU in 2018 through his service with the United States Marine Corps,” the university said in a statement.
Pearson’s death has also devastated his family in Jacksonville, North Carolina, near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
He is survived by his wife, Autumn, and their two daughters, Maisie and Hazel. Their youngest daughter is expected to celebrate her first birthday in December.
A fundraising campaign established to support his family describes Pearson as a devoted husband and father who approached both military service and family life with the same determination and enthusiasm.
Family friend Rachel Hughes, who organized the fundraiser, said those closest to Pearson were struggling to comprehend the sudden loss.
“There are simply no words that can describe this heartbreak,” she wrote.
The community has rallied around his family, with donations pouring in to help support his wife and children as they face an uncertain future without him.
In Jacksonville, local officials also honored Pearson with a wreath-laying ceremony at the city’s Freedom Fountain on October 9. The memorial was placed in mourning status for three days in recognition of his service and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, military investigators are examining the training conditions, safety procedures and circumstances surrounding the swimming exercise. Officials have emphasized that they will not speculate about the cause of death until the investigation is complete.
The findings could help determine whether additional safety measures are needed during future special operations training.
For Pearson’s family, friends and former teammates, however, his legacy extends far beyond the accident that claimed his life.
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