Sgt. Darilyn C. Duong, 25, found dead Friday at her Port Royal residence
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
A Marine Corps drill instructor assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island was found dead Friday, July 17, at her Port Royal apartment, marking the second death of a Parris Island drill instructor in less than two months.
Sgt. Darilyn C. Duong, 25, of Winnebago, Neb., served as a drill instructor with the Recruit Training Regiment’s 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at MCRD Parris Island.
Marine Corps officials announced Duong’s death Saturday, saying at the time that the cause remained under investigation.
“The cause of death is currently under investigation. At this time, it would be premature to speculate on the circumstances or results of the investigation,” 2nd Lt. Joshua Hartley, a Marine Corps spokesperson, said in a statement.
The Marine Corps has not released an official cause of death.
“The Marine Corps extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow Marines affected by this loss,” Hartley said.
Duong was single with no dependents. During her service, she earned the National Defense Service Medal, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Recent drill instructor deaths
Duong is the second drill instructor assigned to Parris Island to die in less than two months.
The first was Sgt. Albert R. Haynes II, 24, of Austin, Pa., who died May 30 while on temporary duty in Florida.
Haynes, a drill instructor with Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, was found dead in a hotel room in Starke, Fla., while assigned to Recruiting Station Jacksonville to help conduct a poolee event for future Marines.
Authorities initially said the cause of death was under investigation. His obituary later stated he died unexpectedly from a health-related illness.
Haynes graduated from Cameron County High School in 2020 before enlisting in the Marine Corps, fulfilling what his family described as a lifelong dream of becoming a Marine. He had recently married his wife, Kaitlyn, and the couple was expecting their first child, a daughter, in August.
Other drill instructors assigned to Parris Island have died in recent years, as well.
Staff Sgt. Courtland Bateswind, 27, a drill instructor assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, was found dead July 5, 2023, at his residence aboard Parris Island.
Cpl. Angel Acosta III, 25, a former drill instructor who was serving as a training clerk with Headquarters and Service Battalion at the time of his death, died Sept. 20, 2023, at HarborOne Apartments on Lady’s Island. His family later publicly stated he died by suicide.
The deaths occurred under different circumstances, and authorities have not indicated they are connected.
Other Marine deaths
Other Marines assigned to MCRD Parris Island, but not serving as drill instructors, have also died in recent years.
Sgt. Yliana Hernandez, 25, a water survival instructor assigned to Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, was found dead Sept. 22, 2023, at her residence.
Sgt. Cameron Thach, 26, assigned to the Regional Contracting Office within Headquarters and Service Battalion, was found dead Dec. 18, 2025, aboard Parris Island.
The deaths involved Marines serving in different roles and occurred under varying circumstances.
Recruit deaths
Recruit deaths are separate from deaths involving Marines serving in permanent assignments at Parris Island.
The most recent recruit death occurred Feb. 8, 2025, when 19-year-old Jason Tharp died during combat water survival training.
Five other recruits assigned to Parris Island have died since 2021.
Altogether, 12 Marines and recruits assigned to, serving with or training at MCRD Parris Island have died since 2021, according to a review of previous reporting by The Island News, Marine Corps announcements and other local reporting.
That total includes four current or former drill instructors, two other Marines serving in non-drill instructor roles and six recruits undergoing initial training. The deaths occurred under a variety of circumstances and should not be interpreted as evidence that the cases are connected.
About MCRD Parris Island
Located near Port Royal, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is one of the Marine Corps’ two recruit training depots, along with Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Approximately 20,000 recruits complete training there each year.
Drill instructors are responsible for transforming civilians into Marines through rigorous training emphasizing discipline, physical fitness and the Corps’ core values.
The investigation into Duong’s death remains ongoing.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.