NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The Navy SEAL candidate who died during "Hell Week" training on Friday has been identified as a 24-year-old New Jersey native, officials confirmed Sunday.
Kyle Mullen, of Manalapan, died at a San Diego-area hospital on Friday, while another trainee was hospitalized in stable condition.
Both fell ill just hours after they successfully completed the test that ends the first phase of assessment and selection for the elite Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) class.
A former coach described Mullen, who starred on the football team at Manalapan High School, as a "great athlete but a better person."
"Everybody loved him," Ed Guerreri told USA Today. "Probably one of the best kids I ever had. Great, great kid on the field but even better off the field."
Guerreri added that Mullen was an honor society student and later played football at Yale and Monmouth University.
"We are all saddened by the unfortunate passing of Kyle Mullen. As a member of our 2019 championship team, he will be remembered not just as a excellent player, but also as an excellent person and a great teammate," said Kevin Callahan, the head football coach of Monmouth University.
He added, "He was highly motivated on the field, but his maturity, intelligence, and concern for his fellow teammates is what stands out about Kyle. On behalf of President Leahy and the entire Monmouth University community, we wish to offer condolences to the Mullen Family on their loss."
Meanwhile, Guerreri said Mullen's former high school team will wear a sticker on their helmets next season with the fallen trainee's old number, 44.
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"[He] worked hard at everything he did, never gave less than 100%, got along with everybody," he said.
NJ.com reports that students at Manalapan High School observed a moment of silence on Monday morning, along with other activities planned by the school to honor Mullen.
"We are all heartbroken to hear of Kyle’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Kyle’s family and friends during this difficult time," said Charles B. Sampson, Freehold Regional High School District superintendent.
Rear Adm. H.W. Howard III, the commander of Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California, offered his sympathies to Mullen’s family in a statement.
"We are extending every form of support we can to the Mullen family and Kyle’s BUD/S classmates," Howard said.
Mullen joined the Navy in March 2021, according to his Navy biography. He reported to SEAL training in Coronado in July, the Union-Tribune said.
The cause of death is unknown and under investigation.
The Navy said neither one had experienced an accident or unusual incident during the five-and-a-half-day Hell Week.
The Hell Week test is part of the BUD/S class, which involves basic underwater demolition, survival and other combat tactics. It comes in the fourth week as SEAL candidates are being assessed and hoping to be selected for training within the Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command.
The SEAL program tests physical and psychological strength, along with water competency and leadership skills. The program is so grueling that at least 50% to 60% don’t make it through Hell Week, when candidates are pushed to the limit.
The last SEAL candidate to die during the assessment phase was 21-year-old Seaman James Derek Lovelace in 2016. He was struggling to tread water in full gear in a giant pool when his instructor pushed him underwater at least twice. He lost consciousness and died.
His death was initially ruled a homicide by the San Diego County Medical Examiner. A year later, after an investigation, the Navy said it would not pursue criminal charges in Lovelace’s drowning.
An autopsy revealed he had an enlarged heart that contributed to his death, and that he also had an abnormal coronary artery, which has been associated with sudden cardiac death, especially in athletes.
It was unclear from the autopsy report how much Lovelace’s heart abnormalities contributed to his death.
The latest death also comes just two months after a Navy SEAL commander died from injuries he suffered during a training accident in Virginia. Cmdr. Brian Bourgeois, 43, fell while fast-roping down from a helicopter, and he died several days later.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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