His car was also found burned nearby. Guillns family has shared that Robinson also sexually harassed her. The string of deaths prompted an independent review of the climate and culture at Fort Hood, which led to the punishment of 14 senior officers. Basically the military is running around cities drugging people, then running social experiments on people. 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. [8], Wedel family said, Its frustrating that there havent been any arrests made in anything else. Missing Fort Hood soldier was victim in 'abusive sexual contact - CNN [4], Ki Theory - 'Suspicious Minds' feat. She was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence and pleaded not guilty. Fort Hood: What we know about 12 soldiers missing, slain or killed in Commanders will be required to list service members as absent-unknown for up to 48 hours while they do everything in their power to locate them and determine if their absence is an emergency or voluntary. Ive only recently seen all this stuff and I thought it was really weird that its all happening at Fort Hood. Abram Salas II, 21, did not report for . Will It Matter To Anti-Vaxxers? 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. 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. Prosecutors in 2014 said Gregory McQueen ran a prostitution ring at Fort Hood for a month or two that took advantage of cash-strapped female soldiers and connected them with higher-ranking officers. Family attorney Natalie Kwaham said she was beaten so badly that officials had trouble using dental records to identify her since her teeth were smashed up. Fernandes, who was born in Cape Verde in West Africa, joined the Army in Sept. 2016. 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. Soldiers were assaulted, beaten, robbed. According to the Associated Press, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy opted to remove officials from their jobs including two general officers after findings from an independent panel investigation revealed the bases widespread problems. We hope to challenge issues which have captured the publics imagination, from JFK and UFOs to 9/11. The suspects allegedly poured fresh concrete mix on the remains to create a "homemade body vault" where they then covered it in rocks, officials said. Thirteen killed themselves. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The Houston native graduated Csar E. Chavez High School in 2018 and shortly thereafter enlisted, becoming a private first class who worked to repair small arms and artillery while serving with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. When a Soldier Goes Missing. How Republicans & Democrats Weaponize Latinx Trauma to Get Votes. Also in July, the army named a five-person civilian panel to conduct a review of the culture at Fort Hood. "It was an ongoing investigation for two months that will never get closure," his mother said. At the time, neither Robinson nor Aguilar were identified. [16][17] Guilln was a small-arms repairer assigned to Support Troop, Engineer Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. Gabbard said she knows "personally the strength of the chain of command. Photo: Sergio Flores/Getty Images. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy is set to visit the base to engage with local civilian and military leadership. Vanessa Guilln, 20, whose remains were found after extensive national attention. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. They first reached out Aug. 11, when Fernandes was admitted to the hospital, he added. Lock Elder Fernandes," the 1st Cavalry said in a statement. 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. Fernandes' aunt told ABC News the Army hasn't provided much helpful information. Isaiah Gore, 21, and Denerio Williams, 22, pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2021, another co-conspirator Ivory Palmer, 21, pleaded guilty Jan. 10. 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. The body of Hernandezvargas, from Woodside,New York, was also recovered from the water after a boating incident on August 2. The FDA Has Officially Approved Pfizers COVID Vaccine. She was allegedly bludgeoned to death before her body was chopped up and encased in cement. She reported it to her friends. Vanessa Guillen's Remains Identified: What We Know So Far | Time Gregory Morales, was reported missing from the base a year ago on August 20, 2019. The Army Criminal Investigation Command confirmed that the human remains found near a lake about 20 miles from the Fort Hood military base belonged to Guillen. [12] The training in this facility is unlike any other facility. View our online Press Pack. Body of Missing Fort Hood Soldier Who Reported Sexual Abuse Found Missing Soldier Vanessa Guillen Was Allegedly Assaulted - Refinery29 All are active duty soldiers with the U.S. Army. The main suspect in her disappearance, another soldier, killed himself as investigators confronted him. 56, WARNING:FORT HOOD HAS DECLARED WAR ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 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. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Marmolejo noted that Gore and Williams, as soldiers in the Army, were not the average citizen, which justified a tougher sentence. 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. 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. Khawam said the body was found hanging in a tree, and that a backpack on the scene had Fernandes' driver's license inside. 1000 Louisiana, Ste. Aguilar is expected in federal court in Waco, Texas, for arraignment on July 6. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Prior to her disappearance, Fort Hood soldier, Pfc. Sgt. Robinson's cellphone records corroborated Aguilar's story and placed the pair along the Leon River, according to court documents. Also theres a huge prison right next to it. [13], Vanessa Guilln, missing since 22 April 2020, Although praised by officials,[13] unique facilities like Killeen Base/West Fort Hood enables clandestine activities, as indicated by other reports as early as 1979. Fort Hood conspiracy involves a grand scale sexual assault ring in Killeen, Texas, that utilizes underground facilities, particularly West Fort Hood, to conduct human trafficking transactions. Officials at Fort Hood, Texas, said Sunday that a soldier who had disappeared from the base was found safe with her family. Law enforcement, Sewells chain-of-command and her family have been unable to contact her in the time since. The base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces. Sgt. Online there was a group of young teens bragging about breaking into houses of soldiers. And the criminal is now in the military. The U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas later identified Aguilar as Robinson's alleged accomplice. Investigators said he likely drowned, though no foul play is suspected. Copyright 2022 KWTX. Fort Hood is the only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two Armored Divisions with A 214,968 acre installation, according to Military.com. The Commander at Fort Hood, Lt. General Pat White, will not face any administrative action. Updates will be provided when the investigation is complete, he added. The 20-year-old went missing from her Army base on April 22. Rule 2 does apply throughout the rest of this thread. Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, a 1st Cavalry Division public affairs officer, said last week that Fernandes had previously transferred units after reporting sexual abuse, and that an investigation into the allegation remained open. Aaron David Robinson, 20, African American combat engineer, went missing from his Fort Hood post on June 30. "The unit also facilitated his transfer from a unit who has recently deployed to a different unit within the brigade to ensure he received the proper care and ensure there were no opportunities for reprisals.". 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. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command received notification from Guillen's captain that she was last seen on the Fort Hood base. Aguilar told authorities the two of them then dismembered Guillen's body using a "hatchet or machete type knife" and buried pieces of her body in three separate holes, according to court documents. 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). Based on information gathered from fellow soldiers, Fernandes "may have left Fort Hood on his own accord," according to a statement from the Army Criminal Investigation Command Friday. The CID and The League of United Latin American Citizens increased the reward for credible information leading to Vanessa Guillen's whereabouts to $50,000 -- $25,000 from each organization. She said at a press conference that she learned his body had been found on Tuesday night. "[8], Cecily Anne Aguilar, wife of an unnamed former Fort Hood soldier[8], CID claims that, Robinson called a woman he was involved with to help him dispose of Guilln's body after moving it outside the base., On July 2nd, the FBI formally submited a criminal complaint for a civillian identified as Cecily Anne Aguilar,[16] the estranged wife of a former unnamed soldier from Fort Hood. Fernandes as we work to find him," Brautigam said. Investigators with CID talked to two witnesses who allegedly saw Robinson on April 22 leaving his work area with a large box that appeared "very heavy in weight," and place that box in his car before driving away, according to court documents. The Army just now says that there is foul play in the disappearance of Vanessa Guillen. 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. That is wild. Woman charged with helping get rid of body of Vanessa Guillen, missing Mejhor Morta, 26, of Pensacola, Florida, was found in the vicinity of Stillhouse Hollow Lake around 20 minutes from Fort Hood military base inTexason July 17. Guillen was so badly beaten, she had to be identified through strains of her hair. So I'm trying to see for when the lawyer gets in contact with them and more higher people, they will be able to give us some information, because they know," she said. Elder Fernandes, a 23-year-old chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, has not been heard from by his family since Sunday, prompting them to report him missing three days later, according to a statement from the Killeen Police Department on Thursday and comments made by family members to ABC News Friday. Killeen Police Department and Harker Heights PD have confirmed pending investigations involving up to seven soldiers who were brutally murdered from 2019 to 2020.[4]. [8], The partial remains at Leon River site was so brutally dismembered and burned that investigators were unable to use dental records to make any identification,[18] yet Army investigators positively identified the remains as Vanessa Guilln, says The Washington Post. "And there's a lot more that I don't know; only Elder will be able to tell us, when we find him.". Investigators say they have skeletal or partial remains, and bodies of suicides and murders. A FORT Hood soldier went missing on Wednesday only days after he got married - and his family claims there was foul play involved in his disappearance. An attorney was not listed for her among online court records. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Investigators with CID identified Robinson as the deceased suspect who had been accused of killing Vanessa Guillen on April 22. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. According to Khawam, Fernandes was sexually assaulted by his sergeant, then "bullied and hazed for reporting it.". A Warner Bros. Houston, TX 77002, Houston: 713-567-9000 In March, 20-year-old Shelby Tyler Jones also died near Fort Hood after suffering a gunshot wound in south Killeen, and Brandon Scott Rosecrans, was found dead with a gunshot wound near Fort Hood in May. My friends grandma lives out there right in between the base and the prison crwzy stuff. . Foul play is also suspected in Wedel-Morales' death, and the Army is offering a $25,000 reward for information. Mario Eloy Peafrom Texas has been released on bond after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at Fort Hood to avenge Guillen's murder. Sewell was last seen leaving her barracks around 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Guillen was the third service member from the base to be found dead this summer. He was a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade. Military officials said at a press conference that Robinson was not Guillen's superior and that during their investigation they didn't find evidence of sexual harassment to confirm her family's accusations. Despite the claims that officials are being fired for failing to prevent violence at the base, former military personnel on Twitter have concerns about how the system works. On June 30, Robinson went missing from his Fort Hood post. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. You dont get fired. "We are actively searching to locate him and continue to stay in contact with his Family, friends, and law enforcement.". This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Online there was a group of young teens bragging about breaking into houses of soldiers. Her family says she was the target of sexual harassment. Fernandes, ensuring he was aware of all his reporting, care, and victim advocacy options," said division spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam. Freddy Delacruz with Chuck Norris in 2019. Four other soldiers who went missing are: SpcVanessa Guillen; Pvt. Updated on: June 3, 2016 / 10:45 PM / CBS/AP. Her case inspired protests and led the Army to discipline more than a. The hashtag #IAmVanessaGuillen began circulating on Twitter, and women with a history in the military have come forward to share their own stories of sexual assault. His death followed ten other soldiers includingVanessa Guillen, whoseremains were found months after she went missing. [1], McQueen reportedly planned "sex parties" for high-ranking officers at Fort Hood and recruited subordinate female soldiers to the fledgling prostitution ring. The prolonging process, in a sizable coverup, is given in the following report: Although authorities said there is no connection between the two cases of Wedel-Morales and Guillen, Atlantas Cold Case Investigative Research Institute founder, Sheryl McCollum, disagrees, who maintains that the soldiers deaths are linked. The disappearance came amid a pending sexual harassment investigation. Last month, Khawam and the Guillen family introduced the #IAmVanessaGuillen bill, which would allow active duty service members to file claims of sexual harassment and assault to an outside third party. Vanessa Guillen, 20, has been missing from her unit since April 22, 2020, according to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. The circumstances of related deaths have exposed an underground human sex trafficking ring in Killian, Texas, with West Fort Hood as the hub. Fernandes who is originally from Massachusetts is a Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear specialist at Fort Hood. After a year of record violence at Fort Hood in 2020, army leaders have announced that they are firing or suspending 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at the base. Brautigam also confirmed that Fernandes was hospitalized from Aug. 11 to Aug. 17, the day he went missing. Army officials said that one suspect in the case killed himself, and another was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Robinson told investigators that he only left the house once, to go back to the base to log in on a computer to enroll in training, court documents show. 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. He has not been seen or heard from family members since Monday, August 17, according to the Killeen Police Department. Venessa Guillen and Aaron Robinson were co-workers, but were located in different buildings; he was not in her line of command. Fort Hood is conducting an investigation in whether Guilln was sexually harassed or not.[10]. But the investigation into her disappearance uncovers more than anyone bargained for - secrets, lies, and a system that failed to protect the people within it. Robinson had joined the Army in October 2017 and was trained as a combat engineer. By bringing in outside consultant civillians, it (1) allows the matter to be taken outside of Army hands,[10] (2) prolongs a proper military investigation, and (3) enables a potential coverup of a sexual assault ring involving high level officers. If I hadn't been on post at the time, wouldn't have learned about it since it never got publicized. There is widespread public misunderstanding of what happens when a Soldier . hide caption. Attorneys Brian Bajew and Mark Hicks prosecuted the case. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/army-suspects-foul-play-disappearance-fort-hood-soldier-vanessa-guillen-n1231928/, https://heavy.com/news/2020/06/foul-play-suspected-after-greg-morales-found-dead/, https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/05/21/fort-hood-soldier-found-shot-dead-near-burning-jeep/. Subterranean tunnelling into the mountainside continued into 1961. There are a few that are worse, but not many. Before Guilln went missing, she told her family that she was being sexually harassed by one of her sergeants at Fort Hood, according to a website her family set up to promote the search. Aguilar then told officials that Robinson placed Guillen's body in a box, placed the box in his car and drove his car to a gas station where Aguilar worked.
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