A young 21-year-old soldier in the American army was reportedly handcuffed Wednesday in connection with the death of a 23-year-old sergeant, found lifeless in a dumpster last week.
“Sergeant Roque was a daughter, a sister, a friend and a soldier who chose to serve our country with courage and honor. His passing has caused a tremendous void within our team,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Fort Leonard Wood Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Team, in a statement on Facebook.
On October 21, the US Army’s Fort Leonard Wood announced the disappearance of Sergeant Sarah Roque of the 5th Engineer Battalion after neither her family nor her chain of command were able to contact her, ABC News reported.
Unfortunately, less than 24 hours later, his lifeless body was reportedly located in a dumpster at the Fort Leonard Wood military base in Missouri, while the government agency announced that a “person of interest was placed in police custody,” we can read.
The Army’s Office of Special Counsel finally filed charges Wednesday against Specialist Wooster Rancy, 21, also of the 5th Engineer Battalion.
In addition to one count of murder, he will face one count of obstruction of justice, officials said, according to the American media.
At present, no motive has been established, while the young soldier, originally from Miami, would have been remanded in custody pending his preliminary hearing.
“As a commander and leader, this is a tragedy,” lamented Major General Beck according to ABC News. “That’s something we never want to see, something we never want the family or the unit to have to endure.”
Sarah Roque, who enlisted in 2020, was a mine dog handler within the K9 detachment, headquarters for the 5th Engineer Battalion, her team said by paying tribute to her on Facebook.
