Meanwhile, an Army official said Army investigators have found information that Guillen was harassed, but that it was not sexual harassment, as Guillen's family has claimed, and that it did not involve alleged killer Robinson. "[8], There is "no credible evidence" for sexual assault in the case of Aaron Robinson (above), says CID[8], Aaron David Robinson, 20, was a soldier from Calumet City, a southern suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Missing Fort Hood soldier found by: Allison Fox O'Connor. Authorities in Texas are searching for another missing Fort Hood soldier amid a tumultuous period for the base that's included multiple service members turning up dead. "The unit sexual assault response coordinator has been working closely with Sgt. Vanessa Guilln, 20, whose remains were found after extensive national attention. She was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence and pleaded not guilty. The numbers are distressing. She told her mother, Gloria Guillen, that she did not feel safe at the base and that a sergeant there had been sexually harassing her, according toCrime Online. The FDA Has Officially Approved Pfizers COVID Vaccine. The 20-year-old went missing from her Army base on April 22. FORT HOOD, Texas (FOX 44) UPDATE: III Corps and Fort Hood reports that PVT Brendan Lush has been found safe and was being returned to his unit with the assistance of law enforcement officials. Tipsters are asked to contact Fort Hood military police at 254-288-1170 or U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command at 254-287-2722. In addition to these horrifying deaths, other incidents at Fort Hood this year included the death of Sgt. Specialist Cole Jakob Aton was the most recent death, the skeletal remains of 24-year-old Pvt Gregory Scott Morales, Guillens body, found in July, was mutilated and burned, had to be identified through strains of her hair, beaten so badly that officials had trouble using dental records, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Aguilar is expected in federal court in Waco, Texas, for arraignment on July 6. I mean we can all do that.[4], The family of Gregory Wedel-Morales says that lack of justice coupled with a lack of transparency is serious cause for concern adding that Fort Hood needs to do a better job of ensuring safety for their younger soldiers on and off post. Federal prosecutors have saidGuillens body, found in July, was mutilated and burnedbefore it was placed in three different holes after she was bludgeoned to death. 1000 Louisiana, Ste. The news was first announced by the family's attorney Natalie Khawam on Wednesday. Copyright 2022 KWTX. [21], Fox 44 reached out to Fort Hoods Public Affairs office to get an update on their current investigations involving the deaths of the soldiers and received no response. Police said that identification found at the scene indicated the victim may be Fernandes though they were awaiting forensic confirmation and expressed condolences to his family. [10] Her car keys, room key, identification card and wallet were found in an armory room where she was working that day.[8], CID told the Guilln family that Vanessa was bludgeoned to death with a hammer in the armory room where she worked, and Her body was transported from the military installation by her killer,[10], The investigation into Guilln's disappearance is separate from another into her family's claim that she was sexually harassed. Vanessa Guillen were discovered in a shallow grave near the Leon River in rural Bell County. Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. The Unacknowledged special access projects around the targeted individual phenomena are originated around there as well. You dont hear anything about Greg. Construction crews carved out tunnels and blast-proof underground steel vaults. Ive only recently seen all this stuff and I thought it was really weird that its all happening at Fort Hood. Can you elaborate more on the bush highway? Vanessa Guillen, who disappeared in April 2020 and was later found to have been bludgeoned to death with a hammer in the armory where she worked. His death followed ten other soldiers includingVanessa Guillen, whoseremains were found months after she went missing. Investigators with CID identified Robinson as the deceased suspect who had been accused of killing Vanessa Guillen on April 22. Fernandes was officially considered Absent Without Leave (AWOL) on Tuesday, according to a base official. [8] Robinson "was not in CID custody" at the time he left his post.[8]. Fernandes, who was born in Cape Verde in West Africa, joined the Army in Sept. 2016. 2nd Class Gregory Wedel-Morales went missing in 2019 while driving in Killeen, Texas. The Commander at Fort Hood, Lt. General Pat White, will not face any administrative action. Human remains discovered near Fort Hood were subsequently identified as Guillen, Khawam said. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. At the time, neither Robinson nor Aguilar were identified. Elder Fernandes, 23, is pictured in a poster released by Fort Hood in Texas on Aug. 20, 2020. Jennifer Sewell, a soldier whos been missing since last Thursday. The Army Criminal Investigation Division has yet to independently confirm the identification. 110 Stat. ET . 22, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. [10] The Army, League of United Latin American Citizens and Houston rapper Baby Bash have pooled together a $55,000 reward for information on Vanesssas Guillen's disappearance. Others commented that firing or suspending officers and soldiers is not the same as charging them and righting the harm theyve allowed to take place. The family said it was foul play repeatedly. Ft. U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas, Fort Hood soldiers sentenced for role in alien smuggling conspiracy, Three men admit to fatal smuggling event in Mission, Texan sentenced for transporting people in trunk, Fort Hood Soldiers Sentenced For Role In Alien Smuggling Conspiracy. Her sisters said Guillen, 20, told them and fellow soldiers that she was being sexually harassed by a superior and was fearful of reporting the incident because of potential retaliation. Vanessa Guilln, the Fort Hood soldier who has been missing since late April, was murdered and dismembered by a fellow soldier, a woman alleged in a criminal complaint obtained by CBS. There's no reason why a young beautiful girl who joined the Army, to honorably serve our country, should be in a shallow grave near on our own turf. The body of Hernandezvargas, from Woodside,New York, was also recovered from the water after a boating incident on August 2. **The conspiracy subreddit is a thinking ground. Two Mexican men and a U.S. citizen have admitted to their roles in an alien smuggling conspiracy which resulted in death, A 40-year-old San Antonio resident has been ordered to federal prison for transporting undocumented aliens, A 24-year-old Laredo resident has been sent to prison for conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens resulting in death, Southern District of Texas All Rights Reserved. What Happened At Fort Hood That Led To 14 Firings? Nothing about Brandon. I also know and understand that fear Vanessa must have felt.". Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy is set to visit the base to engage with local civilian and military leadership. Sgt. Khawam said the body was found hanging in a tree, and that a backpack on the scene had Fernandes' driver's license inside. In late June, the partial remains of missing 20-year-old Fort Hood soldier Pfc. Murder suspect Aaron Robinson, 20, took his own life after fleeing the base. ET) October 7, according to a statement by the Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services (DES), which said she failed to report to work that day. As investigators searched for Guillen's body amid her disappearance, multiple other soldiers' bodies were recovered. Khawam announced at the press conference, attended by veterans including Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, that she's planning to propose legislation to protect U.S. military soldiers from sexual harassment and sexual assault. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Mejhor Morta, 26, was found unresponsive in the vicinity of Stillhouse Lake, according to Army officials, The body of Pvt Gregory Scott Morales, 24, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was found Friday in a field after officials at nearby Fort Hood received a tip, Fort Hood officials said Spc Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas' body was recovered after a boating accident, Vanessa Guillen's mom is seen here with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Reuters), Pfc. Fernandes, ensuring he was aware of all his reporting, care, and victim advocacy options," said division spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam. His girlfriend Cecily Ann Aguilar, 22, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Hood soldier, What We Know About the Death of Vanessa Guillen, Army announces new investigation into Vanessa Guillen case as senior Fort Hood official removed from post, Army officials reveal new details in Vanessa Guillen case, U.S. Army Foot Hood website: REMEMBERING VANESSA GUILLEN, What to know about missing Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen, The military failed him, family of slain Fort Hood soldier Gregory Wedel Morales says, The military failed him: Soldiers bones found months after he was labeled a deserter, Family hopes autopsy will help strike dead Fort Hood soldiers name from deserter list, Fort Hood: What we know about 12 soldiers missing, slain or killed in accidents since January, Lawmakers to officially introduce #IAmVanessaGuillen bill Wednesday, Military makes little effort to punish deserters, A Year of Heartbreak and Bloodshed at Fort Hood, Missing Fort Hood soldier found in Louisiana, Vanessa Guillens Mother Claims Her Killer Did Not Die. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. The Guillen family and Khawam said the deceased male suspect was a superior officer who allegedly walked in on Vanessa as she was showering, sat down and watched her. Assistant district attorney from Williamson County suspended after DWI wreck in Hewitt, Austin police looking for teen mom who ran away from state facility with newborn son, Tornadic weather conditions made it difficult for fire crews to extinguish house that caught fire after being struck by lightning, New non-profit coming to Bell County in fight against homelessness, Change was like night and day: Mother testifies in retrial of ex-Waco day care owner charged in childs overdose death. The base said in a statement on Friday that Fernandes was last seen by members of his unit at a residence in Killeen, Texas. Fernandes' older brother, Elton Fernandes, said that he spoke to him about the alleged incident, asking if it was true. "I have long advocated for real reforms for them to report these incidents outside the chain of command," Gabbard added. Fort Hood sergeant Gregory McQueen accused of a prostitute ring for cash-strapped female soldiers, A US Army sergeant in an anti-sexual-assault program pimped female soldiers at Fort Hood, Fort Hood sergeant admits he pimped soldiers, Fort Hood soldiers murder brings unsolved cases to forefront, Foul play suspected in death of Fort Hood soldier after remains found in Texas field, Fort Hood soldier killed at a Texas strip club, Army veteran, Fort Hood soldier found shot dead at Texas apartment, Pfc. Army officials. Most notably, Guilln went missing for almost two months in the beginning of the year before her remains were found and it was declared that she had been murdered. Found out their "leader" was a staff sgt who was aware of who was on post, exercises, etc and knew which houses would be empty and when. The body of another Fort Hood soldier, Pvt. At the time of arrest, both men were wearing their U.S. Army uniforms. Officials within Vanessa Guillen's unit become aware she's missing, according to court documents. Fernandes as we work to find him," Brautigam said. Sometimes these absences garner media attention but the majority of them do not. An investigation into Hernandezvargas's death is currently underway. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 30-month-term of imprisonment for Gore, while Williams received 24 months. Vanessa Guillen was last seen in the parking lot of the Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters for 3rd Cavalry Regiment, The president offered to personally help pay for Guillen's funeral, Trump reportedly told Guillen's family he supported the congressional bill titled #IAmVanessaGuillen. Vanessa Guillen, a Fort Hood soldier who went missing in April and whose remains were identified in July. Anne Aguilar is taken into custody by Texas Rangers on suspicion of being involved in the disappearance of Vanessa Guilln. **Our intentions are aimed towards a fairer, more transparent world and a better future for everyone. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. According to McCarthy, Fort Hood has one of the highest rates of murder, sexual assault, and harassment in the Army. Army Pfc. The disappearance came amid a pending sexual harassment investigation. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A locked padlock His family members have publicly questioned the base's narrative that he left on his own volition. When a 20-year-old soldier goes missing from one of the largest military bases in the country, her tight-knit family is determined to find her and bring her home. A sergeant stands guard at the entrance to Fort Hood Army base in Texas April 2, 2014. n attorney for Vanessa Guillens family has said that Aaron Robinson is a suspect in Guillens disappearance and he killed himself, Robinsons girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, the estranged wife of a Fort Hood soldier, was also involved, officialssaid, The missing person's poster relating to the 20-year-old's disappearance in April, Civilian who helped soldier cut up Vanessa Guillens body after he bludgeoned her to death is identified. Found out their "leader" was a staff sgt who was aware of who was on post, exercises, etc and knew which houses would be empty and when. [8], Wedel family said, Its frustrating that there havent been any arrests made in anything else. Im at a dead end and cant find anything, Ft Hood Body Count: can't top Fort Bragg Body Count, https://www.dvidshub.net/news/136750/suicide-real-major-concern-fort-bragg-and-nation, https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/27/us/rash-of-wife-killings-at-ft-bragg-leaves-the-base-wondering-why.html. The base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces. "I can't get access to any information, the Army is not giving any information to no one. Multiple deaths of young US soldiers at Fort Hood,[4] has shed light on a sexual assault ring in Killeen, Texas. All rights reserved. In a harrowing twist, the search for Guillen kicks off the same week that investigators uncovered the skeletal remains of Private Gregory Wedel-Morales, one of two Fort Hood soldiers who went. His mother and aunt, Isabel Fernandes, told ABC News that they spoke to him on the phone several times while he was at the hospital, but he did not reveal much as to why he was there. It is unclear exactly how many Ford Hood soldiers have gone missing, but the most recent soldier to go missing is Elder Fernandes. U.S. Army via AP Texas Rep. Sylvia Garcia and the Guillen family met with Fort Hood leadership, who told them they suspected foul play in Vanessa's disappearance. Isaiah Gore, 21, and Denerio Williams, 22, pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2021, another co-conspirator Ivory Palmer, 21, pleaded guilty Jan. 10. Fort Hood is located halfway between Austin and Waco and is about 60 miles from each city. She even reported to other soldiers on base, but she didn't want to do a formal report because she was afraid of retaliation and being blackballed, and she, like most victims, just tried to deal with it herself," Lupe Guillen, 16, told ABC News on July 1. Reward Increased: Missing Fort Hood Soldier . Elder Fernandes," the 1st Cavalry said in a statement. Abram Salas II, 21, who was the focus of a search that started after he failed to report for duty on June 23, returned to his unit on Saturday, Fort Hood confirmed Tuesday in a press release . I saved myself from Royal life, Harry says & insists 'sharing's an act of service', Love Island's Olivia Hawkins breaks silence as she returns to the UK, Loose Women star lined up to be Strictly's first contestant in wheelchair, Coronation Street fans horrified as Amy Barlow is raped in disturbing scenes, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. CID investigators interviewed Aguilar again, and she allegedly admitted that Robinson told her that he'd bludgeoned Guillen to death with a hammer, according to court documents. About two weeks before that, on July 1, human remains were discovered near Fort Hood and subsequently identified as Guillen. [11] On October 1969, Killeen Base was designated as West Fort Hood. still completely intoxicated from the night before, throwing up and passing out in formation. Plus family and friends and businesses and such. Guillen was so badly beaten, she had to be identified through strains of her hair. All of this is expected to trigger further investigations, which could lead to additional punishments for those found responsible. Her case inspired protests and led the Army to discipline more than a. Plenty, plenty, plenty of fucked up shit goes down there on the regular. Ailina Fernandes told The Boston Globe that her son had been hospitalized on Aug. 11 for reasons she did not know, and was reportedly given a ride home by a staff sergeant when he was discharged on Aug. 17. "[10], In response, the US Army called for a panel of four civilian consultants to review the "command climate and culture" at Fort Hood in Texas, in the wake of the killing of Spc. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. There was "no credible evidence" Guillen had been sexually harassed or assaulted by Robinson. A Texas man, Brandon Michael Olivares, was recently arrested and charged for Rosecrans' murder. On Wednesday, his mother traveled from her home in Boston to Texas to search for her son. "Our primary concern is for his health and well-being," the Army said in the. Initial investigation appears that Sewell left for unknown reasons on her own accord, the statement said, noting she does not own a vehicle. Everything is like pulling teeth to get any information from them.". Official websites use .gov Just google all the insane shit that happens there (that's publicly known).they have underground tunnels/bunkers. We need to find her and get justice," Mayra Guillen wrote. Sgt. Investigators suspect foul play, according to Houston ABC station KTRK. The Guillen family created social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to call attention to Vanessa's sexual assault allegation and disappearance. FORT HOOD, Texas -- Recovery teams have located the bodies of four Army soldiers who went missing when their truck overturned in a fast-flowing . While I never saw anything regarding human trafficking I am intrigued by this statement: Broadway, the post spokesman, said 74 GIs had gone absent without leave since 2020 and that 53 of them had returned to duty. Specialist Aaron David Robinson, Gregory Wedel-Morales, Private Mejhor Morta, Specialist Francisco Gilberto Hernandez-Vargas, Private First Class Brandon Scott Rosecrans, Private First Class Freddy Delacruz Jr, Specialist Christopher Wayne Sawyer and Specialist Shelby Tyler Jones were all found dead at Fort Hood this year. Above all else, we respect everyone's opinions and ALL religious beliefs and creeds. Fernandes also had a new apartment waiting to be moved into with rent and utilities paid, but he never picked up the key, according to his aunt and mother. "He came and told me 'yes,' but not to worry about it because he's taking care of it," Elton said.