Drowning of US Navy Seal candidate, dunked underwater by trainer, is ruled a homicide

The drowning death of a US sailor in Navy Seal training has been ruled a homicide, with a medical examiner in San Diego determining that a Seal instructor dunked the sailor in a swimming pool at least twice despite prohibitions against doing so.

Seaman James Derek Lovelace, 21, of Crestview, Florida, died May 6 during the famously difficult Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal (BUD/S) course at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in California. His death was at least the third linked to Seal training in the past year; two other students have committed suicide since November after washing out of the program.

Video surveillance obtained by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and reviewed by a medical-examiner investigator shows that when Lovelace struggled during a swimming exercise, one instructor on a platform pointed him out to a second one in the water. The second instructor approached Lovelace, dunked him and then followed him around the pool for five minutes, according to a report obtained Wednesday from the San Diego County medical examiner’s office.

“He continually splashes the decedent, dunks him at least one additional time, and appears to be yelling at him,” the report said. “The decedent is also splashed by other individuals during the event. At one point in the video, another individual in the water is seen pulling him up and away from the instructor.”

The incident occurred during what the Seals call combat swimmer orientation, the report said. Students tread water while wearing camouflage utility uniforms, boots and masks filled with water. Instructors are supposed to create “adverse” conditions by splashing, making waves and yelling at the students without dunking or pulling them underwater.

The report said that Lovelace’s head went in and out of the water multiple times, and an instructor can be seen pulling him above the surface repeatedly. He and other students entered the water at 1.17pm and Lovelace was pulled out at 1.42pm.

The cause of death is listed as drowning, with cardiomegaly a contributing factor. Cardiomegaly, better known as having an enlarged heart, can cause congestive heart failure. Lovelace was initially “audible but not coherent” and soon needed “aggressive attempts at resuscitation,” the report said. He was pronounced dead at Sharp Coronado Hospital near downtown San Diego at 2.36pm.