Navy SEAL from southeast Michigan dies in training accident

Brett Marihugh died from injuries suffered while performing physical fitness training

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A Navy SEAL from southeast Michigan who was assigned to an east coast-based special warfare unit died Sunday, authorities said.

Brett Allen Marihugh, 34, died from his injuries suffered while conducting physical fitness training Friday.

Marihugh and Seth Lewis were found unresponsive at the bottom of the Combat Swimmer Training Facility pool on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story by service members assigned to the pool facility, authorities said.

Both SEALs were taken to medical facilities, where Lewis was pronounced dead shortly after arriving to Sentara Leigh.

"We are all deeply saddened by Brett's passing and would ask for your thoughts, prayers and support for the Marihugh and Lewis family, NSW community, and our friends and teammates at this time," said Capt. Pete Vasely, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO. "Both of these fierce warriors were admired and highly respected among everyone who knew them. We will continue to investigate what happened. We owe it to the families and our teammates."

Marihugh hailed from Livonia and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2003 before entering the Navy in December 2006. Authorities said he completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, Calif. in October 2007 and then went on to advanced training.

Marihugh has served with east and west coast-based SEAL teams and earned multiple awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V in support of the global war on terrorism, authorities said.