An 18-year-old Navy recruit has died by apparent suicide during boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, raising new concerns about mental health within the military training system.
According to USNI News, Kayshawn Wilkerson’s death marks the fourth apparent suicide at the naval base in recent months, prompting separate investigations by military and local authorities.
The Lake County Coroner's Office announced on Friday that Wilkerson died by apparent suicide following an incident on Wednesday. Preliminary autopsy findings indicate the death occurred at a firing range. Local reports suggest the location was on base, though authorities have not yet confirmed this detail.
Emergency response teams from Naval Station Great Lakes, including the fire and police departments, were dispatched to the site of the incident. Wilkerson, who had enlisted in the Navy on June 23, was in the middle of boot camp training at the time of his death.
A statement released by the Navy acknowledged the recruit's passing and confirmed that an investigation is underway. The Navy said it is extending full support to Wilkerson’s family, shipmates, and friends impacted by the incident.
Death at Firing Range Under Active Review
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Lake County Coroner’s Office are both seeking to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Wilkerson’s death. The firing range's exact location remains unverified, but local media initially reported that it is situated on the Great Lakes base.
This latest death adds to a growing list of suicides linked to personnel stationed at the northern Illinois training center, putting a spotlight on the base’s support structures and mental health protocols. Between April 18 and May 14, three Navy personnel assigned to the base were also reported to have died by suicide.
On April 18, Chief Gunner’s Mate Daniel Dlask died by suicide. Weeks later, on May 4, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Makaio Bartley died in a car crash. Although Navy officials initially did not label it a suicide, the coroner later identified the death as such. On May 14, Machinist’s Mate First Class Jacob Lavold also died by suicide at the base.
Military-Led Inquiry Already Underway
These incidents prompted the Naval Education and Training Command to initiate a formal investigation into the deaths of Dlask, Lavold, and another sailor, Chief Damage Controlman Reba Miller. Rear Adm. Robert Nowakowski, who serves as deputy commander for force development, is leading the effort to examine possible systemic issues or contributing factors.
Miller's death, however, was determined by the coroner’s office to be from chronic ethanolism and complications from hypertensive cardiovascular disease. While her passing was included in the Navy’s investigation, the death of Makaio Bartley was not part of the inquiry as of mid-May. Steve Newton, chief deputy at the Lake County Coroner’s Office, explained that the office determined Bartley's death to be suicide, contradicting the Navy’s initial assessment. Newton also clarified the cause behind Miller’s death, which was not classed as suicide by the medical examiner.
Apparent Crisis Facing First-Time Enlistees
Wilkerson had only recently joined the service, having enlisted less than two months before the incident. As a first-time sailor undergoing the challenges of boot camp, his sudden passing is raising renewed questions about the mental health resources provided to the Navy’s youngest members.
An official Navy statement noted that the investigation is ongoing and, out of respect for the family and investigative integrity, no additional information would be released at this time. The statement emphasized ongoing efforts to support those affected by the incident. This series of deaths at a single base has shocked many within military and civilian communities, sparking urgent discussions about how to better detect and address risks to service members' mental health. It remains unclear if any specific changes have been implemented at Great Lakes as a direct response to the suicides.
Pattern of Deaths Prompts Broader Concern
Naval Station Great Lakes, located north of Chicago, is the Navy’s only boot camp for enlisted recruits. Thousands of sailors pass through the facility each year, undergoing rigorous training and discipline intended to prepare them for military service.
Despite its foundational role in shaping new sailors, the base has now drawn national attention not just for its mission, but for a troubling trend of fatalities in a short period. Observers are questioning whether the current support and monitoring systems for recruits are sufficient. Though no direct link between the deaths has been confirmed, their frequency and close timing have prompted continued oversight and calls for transparency. The outcome of the Navy’s ongoing internal review, along with findings from independent investigations, may shape future policies aimed at preventing further losses.
