No foul play was suspected. Specialist Guillens case captured the attention of celebrities, lawmakers and other public figures including former President Trump, who met with her family at The White House. More recently, a spate of missing and slain soldiers has plagued the base, where multiple investigations into the command climate and culture have been launched following allegations of rampant sexual harassment and abuse. Roy was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month. Maj. Ryan McLane and I would like to express our deepest regrets to the family and loved ones of PFC Brandon Rosecrans, Col. Kevin Capra, commander of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, said in a May 20 statement. (Robinson) told her he was worried about getting in trouble for violating the Army's fraternization rules since Aguilar was still married to another soldier and he hit Guillen in the head with a hammer. He had no money and hes not answering the phone. Maxwell Hockin, who was assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. On June 30, 2020, human remains were found near the Leon River in Bell County,. A 26-year-old Fort Hood soldier was found dead Saturday behind his barracks, according to military officials. [24][25] In the early hours of July1, Killeen police located and attempted to make contact with Robinson, who produced a handgun and killed himself before he could be taken into custody. She returned to the base Monday. [9] Her car keys, identification card, bank card, and barracks key were found inside the armory where she worked. Anyone with information on Fernandes whereabouts is asked to contact the Killeen Police Department at 254-526-TIPS (8477), Bell County Crime Stoppers at bellcountycrimestoppers.com, the Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Command (CID) office at 254-287-2722, the Fort Hood MP desk at 254-287-4001 or their local police department. Hogan, of Campton, New Hampshire, entered the Army in June 2019 as a cavalry scout. Spc. She faces a maximum possible penalty of 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine, prosecutors said. Activists called for systematic changes in how the military handles reports of sexual harassment and assault. Aguilar is charged with federal crimes in connection with Guillen's April 22 death. On June 30, 2020, human remains were found near the Leon River in Bell County, Texas. Investigators who searched her phone found that the last person she texted was Specialist Robinson. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, the news station reported. His skeletal remains were found June 19 in a field about four miles from the base. Specialist Robinson later said he read her the serial numbers and gave her paperwork, according to court documents. Guillen was believed to have been bludgeoned to death at the base by a fellow soldier, Spc. Wednesday, Fort Hood officials said they do not suspect foul play in the death of Spc. [8], On July6, 2020, at city hall in Richmond, California, a memorial of candles along with tea lights spelling out Vanessa were displayed in front of a makeshift altar. Jennifer Sewell, who was believed to be missing after she failed to report for duty on Oct. 7. According to Fort Hood officials, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Army officials confirmed on Saturday that the sergeant had been the alleged victim of abusive sexual contact, NBC News reported. Morales skeletal remains were found June 19, days before Guillens body was found, in a field about four miles from the base. Cellphone data, video and eyewitness statements put the two men together in the area of the slaying. Vanessa Guillen", "Houston post office will soon be renamed after Vanessa Guilln", "Proposed Vanessa Guilln law would transform military's sexual misconduct inquiries", "Army secretary pledges "full, independent review" in Vanessa Guillen case", "Trump meets with family of Vanessa Guillen and pledges to help", "Fort Hood: Soldiers fired and suspended after Vanessa Guillen probe", "14 Fort Hood leaders disciplined as probe finds 'permissive environment for sexual assault' at the Army base", "Secretary McCarthy holds Fort Hood Leaders Accountable, Announces New Investigations", "14 fired or suspended following Fort Hood investigation into Vanessa Guilln's death", "New general takes command of Fort Hood's 1st Cavalry Division after investigation clears former commander of wrongdoing", "Executive Order, 2022 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial", US Army crowdsources ideas to combat sexual assault crisis By SARAH BLAKE MORGAN February 26, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Vanessa_Guilln&oldid=1140257098, Cover-up of Aguilar's adulterous relationship with Robinson, This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 06:32. Army enacts changes on sex assault response, investigations and more after Fort Hood scandal. Finding Sgt. Theres something wrong, Wedel told the military publication. Fernandes, who had reported sexual abuse prior to his. (U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command). Army staff sergeant convicted of murdering wife with puffer fish poison Army staff sergeant convicted of killing wife with toxin from puffer fish He faces 70 years behind bars and will be. [13] The case was investigated under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with local law enforcement agencies in Bell County, Killeen, and Belton; the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; the United States Marshals Service; and the Texas Ranger Division in support. In September 2021, a warrant officer named Anthony Rivera was charged with the murder of two toddlers he'd adopted, both of whom died of blunt force trauma. Los Angeles Friday 15 October 2021 12:06 Comments Army investigating after 26-year-old Maxwell Hockin found dead at Fort Hood barracks (US Army) The US army has launched an investigation. FORT HOOD, Texas -- The Army is putting a civilian in charge of its criminal investigations, adding staff and freeing up more agents to work on cases, in a plan to address widespread failures. He said he believed she then left to go to the motor pool. Jovino Roy Jovino Jamel Roy, 22, of Coppers Cove, Texas, is charged with murder in the March 23, 2020, killing of Michael Steven Wardrobe, 22, in Killeen, Texas. The case remains unresolved, though Stars and Stripes reported that a redacted copy of investigative reports shows a total of 15 people either witnessed Jones killing or were believed to be involved. Original: Fernandes, 23, was last seen by fellow soldiers on Aug. 17 at a civilian home in Killeen, Texas. Hernandezvargas awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon. [22], On June30, 2020, Army investigators were called in when contractors discovered partial human remains along the Leon River in Belton. His skeletal remains were found June 19, 2020, in a Killeen field about four miles from the base, and authorities say foul play was involved in his death. (U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command). But, we know our son was only trying to be friends with someone for this to happen to him, and that breaks our heart, Berg said. Hernandezvargas, 24, drowned Aug. 2 in a boating accident at Stillhouse Hollow Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir located about 15 miles from Fort Hood. The Black Knight family is truly heartbroken by the tragic loss of PVT Mejhor Morta, Armstrong said in a news release. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Vanessa Guillen was murdered in April 2020, bludgeoned to death with a hammer in an arms room, U.S. Army investigation released in April. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 12 Fort Hood soldiers who have vanished, died, or, in one case, turned up dead after going missing last year. Two witnesses later said that on the same day, they saw Specialist Robinson coming out of the arms room, pulling a large tough box with wheels that appeared very heavy in weight, according to the complaint. [2] Guilln had been missing for over two months when some of her dismembered remains were found buried along the Leon River on June30. Fox News Media; . Two more who had separated from. They are the highest in most cases for sexual assault, harassment, murders, for our entire formation in the U.S. Army, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said during a visit to Fort Hood earlier this month, the military publication reported. The couple then tried to dismember and burn the remains, according to the complaint. Her death cast a harsh spotlight on the base and its culture, particularly for its handling of sexual assault and harassment, as she told her family that she had been harassed at the base. Army investigators detained Specialist Robinson in the killing of Specialist Guillen just hours after her remains were found, but a series of missteps allowed him to flee, then fatally shoot himself, according to an Army report released on April 30, 2021. Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, center, gets feedback from soldiers about their concerns at Fort Hood, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. He will truly be missed. Guillens family and their attorney alleged that the missing soldier had told them that she had suffered sexual harassment at Fort Hood. FORT HOOD, Texas Fort Hood appears to be on the cusp of yet another tragedy as authorities search for the latest Army soldier to go missing from the base. Wardrobe was reportedly romantically involved with Roys wife, the Herald reported. Jovino Jamel Roy, 22, of Coppers Cove, Texas, is charged with murder in the March 23, 2020, killing of Michael Steven Wardrobe, 22, in Killeen, Texas. The woman accused of helping her Fort Hood Army soldier boyfriend dismember and dispose of Spc. [2], Aguilar was arrested by Texas Rangers and held at the Bell County Jail. A string of suicides, homicides, fatal accidents and criminal behavior has left residents at. On July2, Bell County officials stated Aguilar would be transferred to federal custody due to being charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence by the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Texas. Marshals and Killeen police officers closed in on a suspect, the man, an active duty junior soldier, turned a gun on himself and pulled the trigger. People wishing to remain anonymous will be honored to the degree allowable under the law and the information will be held in the strictest confidence allowable, Army officials said. We resolve every case based on its unique circumstances. Fort Hood officials said Hernandezvargas, a native of Woodside, New York, had been in the Army since May 2017. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The investigation found major flaws at Fort Hood and a command climate that was permissive of sexual harassment and sexual assault, said Mr. McCarthy. [44], On December8, 2020, McCarthy announced the results of the investigation, disciplining 14 U.S. commanders and other leaders at Fort Hood, citing multiple "leadership failures". According to The Associated Press, Hernandezvargas went under as he was being pulled on an inner tube behind a motorboat on the lake. Fernandes disappearance, soldiers from his unit on Fort Hood initiated a thorough search for him, both on and off post, which will continue until he is located, the statement said. April Rubin, Michael Levenson, Bryan Pietsch and Christopher Mele contributed reporting. He had been deployed in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from May 2018 to January 2019. Unfortunately, we will probably never have the real answer or the real truth. KCEN-TV in Temple reported that family members have been meeting with Army officials daily as the search for Fernandes continues. We can confirm there is an open investigation of abusive sexual contact involving Sgt. The gate is also the main entry point to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, where Guilln worked in an arms room as a small arms repairer. It was not until Guillens disappearance, and a subsequent reward for information on her whereabouts, that Fort Hood offered an identical reward in Morales disappearance. My sisters a human being. The family. [3] Upon hearing about the discovery, Robinson fled Fort Hood and fatally shot himself when law enforcement attempted to apprehend him in nearby Killeen, Texas. Morta, 26, of Pensacola, Florida, was found dead July 17 on Stillhouse Hollow Lake. Elder Fernandes, 23, was last seen by fellow Fort Hood soldiers Aug. 17, 2020, at an off-base home in Killeen, Texas. When they began fighting, Roy opened fire. Previous Eight alarming cover-ups and contradictions in the East Palestine train wreck chemical nightmare now spreading across . Fernandes is described as an African-American man standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 133 pounds. According to Killeen police officials, the men were in a fight that became physical. [5][23] The area had previously been searched by Texas Rangers, detectives, and cadaver dogs on June20 after a burn mound was discovered nearby. The solider whobludgeoned her to deathwith a hammer and dismembered her later killed himself. The Army blamed officials for letting Guillns killer Spc. No charges have been filed against the driver, the news station said. Ms. Aguilar told investigators that Specialist Robinson had picked her up late on April 22 or early on April 23 at the gas station where she worked. Thousands of soldiers searched in buildings, barracks, fields, training areas, lakes and trails at Fort Hood. Sawyer, 29, of Longview, Washington, was found dead March 5 at his home on the base. An investigation is ongoing and officials did not say whether foul play was suspected. Fort Hood is the same Army base where Vanessa Guillen was murdered in April 2020, in a case that engrossed the nation. The Killeen Police Department, which is investigating Delacruz's death alongside CID, said Delacruz was found . President Biden apparently thinks they are synonymous with election integrity. Robinsons civilian girlfriend, Cecily Anne Aguilar, 22, of Killeen, is charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas.