'My heart dropped': Parents mourning loss of Idaho soldier who died in Iraq

HORSESHOE BEND, Idaho — Family and friends of a soldier from Horseshoe Bend who died in Iraq are in mourning.

Michael T. Osorio died on Tuesday while serving in the Army. The military says he died in a non-combat incident which is still under investigation. 

“It's been like a bad dream, just waiting to wake up,” Michael’s mom Jennifer Osorio said. “Waiting to get that phone call like 'this can’t be true.'” 

Michael enlisted in the Army in July of 2017, two months after he graduated from Horseshoe Bend High School.

“We’ve all seen the movies, my heart dropped, it just sunk, and, in that moment, I just knew,” Jennifer Osorio said. “We knew this is something that could happen, but we didn't expect it.” 

The last time Michael’s family saw him was in February when he deployed to Iraq with his unit out of Fort Carson, Colorado.

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“Seeing the circumstances now, if I could do it over again, it could've been a ‘goodbye,’ instead of a ‘see you later,’” Michael’s father David Osorio said. 

The military is now in the process of sending Michael’s body from Kuwait to Dover, where his parents will meet him. Michael’s older brother, who is also currently serving in the Army, will also be there. 

“His other brother will escort him, which will be a huge honor,” Jennifer Osorio said.

Michael’s homecoming will be very different than what the family originally envisioned. 

“We wanted him boots on the ground and on U.S. soil, and this isn't the way we planned on it, but this is the way we have to do it,” Jennifer Osorio said. 

The family is now ready to let Michael be at peace.

“Michael would always say 'oh mama, I love you mama, can I help you mama?’ Just that kind, caring personality, that he had,” Jennifer Osorio said. 

The family described the 20-year-old as a true friend and a true soldier.

“His team lost a valuable asset,” David Osorio said. “Our team lost a valuable asset.”

In the two years he served, Michael quickly worked his way up the ranks and won several awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. 

He was the second oldest of four children.