Missing NJ Naval Academy Cadet’s Cause Of Death Confirmed

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Authorities have determined the cause of death for the New Jersey man who was found dead after disappearing from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Stephanie Moore, Kyle Philbert James, a 20-year-old midshipman from Whippany, took his own life.

Authorities said that the cause of death was hydrogen sulfide intoxication.

James was found dead on Oct. 10, one day after he’d been reported missing, according to authorities.

According to a report from WSFB 3, a Connecticut station, James was reported missing after he’d been absent from his classes. Academy officials reached out to James’ mother, asking if she knew of his whereabouts, which she didn’t, according to the report.

The Capital Gazette said the academy contacted the midshipman's family on Oct. 10 to inform them that his remains had been found near the Naval Academy.

“It is painful to lose a member of our Naval Academy family, and as we attempt to better understand this tremendous loss, we offer our deepest condolences to Philbert James’ family, close friends, classmates, and company mates during this extremely difficult time,” a U.S. Naval Academy statement read.

The Whippany man was a member of the academy’s 36th Company, a History major who participated with the USNA Gospel Choir, according to officials.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.