The body of a Windsor navy sailor, who died while off-duty in Tanzania, has been returned to his family.

A jet carrying the body of Leading Seaman Brandon South landed at a Victoria, B.C. airport Wednesday afternoon. A ceremony was held on the tarmac – a Canadian flag wrapped around South’s casket was loaded into a hearse.

Members of the community lined the Pat Bay Highway, some holding Canadian flags from overpasses, as a Highway of Heroes Parade was held for the sailor.

As CTV News first reported, the 36-year-old died in a Tanzanian hospital on April 21. He was off-duty and waiting for a shuttle at a hotel in the African country, while en route to Canada for a schedule leave from the ship.

South served on the HMCS Regina as a sonar operator, which is currently sailing in the Indian Ocean.

An autopsy and investigation was conducted into South’s death, the results of which have not been released.

South leaves behind a wife and two children, in addition to his family in Windsor.