Naval Academy releases name of midshipman found dead in dorm

The Associated Press
[Courtesy of Navy Football Twitter]

A midshipman who was found dead in a dorm at the U.S. Naval Academy was a member of the senior class who played on the school's football team, authorities said Saturday.

David Forney, 22, of Walkersville, Maryland, died Thursday after being found unresponsive in Bancroft Hall, according to academy officials. The cause of death is being investigated but officials said foul play is not suspected.

Forney, an offensive guard on the Navy football team, was found unresponsive in his room by a fellow midshipman.

Naval Academy midshipman found dead in dorm

"The entire Naval Academy family – the Brigade of Midshipmen, the faculty, staff, and coaches – are heartbroken over the tragic and unexpected loss of Midshipman David Forney," academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Sean Buck said in a prepared statement. "On behalf of the Naval Academy family, my wife, Joanne, and I extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the Forney family, their friends, as well as to David's extended Naval Academy family."

Following a year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island, Forney reported to Annapolis in June 2016. A member of the 9th Company, Forney was a political science major who was assigned to commission as a cryptologic warfare officer in May.

"Words cannot express our pain and sorrow," said Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo.

Forney was a senior and three-year letter winner. He had played in 39 consecutive games over his final three seasons. He started all 13 games at guard in 2019 as part of an excellent offensive line.

Forney is survived by his parents and three siblings.