Spc. April Rubin, Michael Levenson, Bryan Pietsch and Christopher Mele contributed reporting. But the Army isn't giving any By Seth Harp Illustration by. 24, 2021 KILLEEN, Texas Spc. He had gone to a club and met up with friends that night, his mother said. He entered the Army in March 2017 as a combat engineer, Fort Hood officials said Wednesday. Vanessa Guilln was sexually harassed by another soldier at Fort Hood but not the one who killed her last year, military officials said in a report. Morales Kia was later found abandoned and a month after his disappearance, he was classified as AWOL, or absent without official leave. The investigation found major flaws at Fort Hood and a command climate that was permissive of sexual harassment and sexual assault, said Mr. McCarthy. On July2, 2020, Aguilar was charged with one federal count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Thanks for contacting us. All those men and women in our service suffering from sexual harassment, suffering from sexual assault because they report it yet they take it as a joke. A soldier stationed at Fort Hood, Texas was found dead over the weekend behind a barracks, according to local media reports. Fort Hood soldier found dead behind barracks, investigation underway Officials identified the soldier as 26-year-old Spc. On June 30, 2020, human remains were found near the Leon River in Bell County,. What to Know About the Death of Vanessa Guillen, https://www.nytimes.com/article/vanessa-guillen-fort-hood.html. Authorities initially said Guillen, 20, of Houston, had last been seen in the parking lot of the Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters. A makeshift memorial for U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen at Power House Gym in Houston in August 2020. "He had an outstanding work ethic, was a mentor to his peers, and was always willing to help out the team. [3][4][5], Cecily Aguilar, a local woman identified by authorities as Robinson's girlfriend, was taken into custody and is alleged to have assisted him in dismembering and burying Guilln's body. She was last seen around 1:00p.m. on April22, 2020, in the parking lot of her unit, the Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment (3CR). Authorities said Olivares story kept changing as he told detectives hed left Rosecrans alive near his Jeep, then told them another man had shot the soldier on a trip back from San Antonio. Vanessa Guillen", "Foul play suspected in Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen's disappearance", "Vanessa Guillen search: Lawmaker suspects foul play in the disappearance of Texas soldier", "Fort Hood says they have found no connection with sexual harassment and Guillen's disappearance", "Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia hosts virtual update on Vanessa Guilln case", "She 'never made it out of the Army alive': Affidavit details killing of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen", "Remains of missing soldier Vanessa Guilln identified by Army, family says", "Vanessa Guillen killed with hammer and her body mutilated, affidavit says", "New court documents in Vanessa Guillen's case reveal possible motive for murder", "Public's Help Sought in Locating Fort Hood Soldier", "Army Senior Leaders Update Reporters on U.S. Army Response to COVID-19", https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/politics/vanessa-guillen-family-donald-trump/index.htmlM, "Army punishes 14 senior officers after murder and other deaths at Fort Hood", "Texas woman pleads guilty to role in Vanessa Guillen's death", "Houston artists pay tribute to Vanessa Guillen", "New mural pays tribute to Vanessa Guillen in her neighborhood", "Mayor Turner honors Vanessa Guillen with visit to mural", "Fort Hood unveils gate and plaque honoring Vanessa Guilln", "Fort Hood names gate after slain Spc. At least 15 soldiers at Fort Hood have disappeared or . The Army had charged a fellow soldier with Guilln's murder, though that soldier killed himself before charges were announced. Specialist Guillen was reported missing from Fort Hood in April 2020, and her remains were found on June 30, 2020. . Original: Fernandes, 23, was last seen by fellow soldiers on Aug. 17 at a civilian home in Killeen, Texas. Jovino Jamel Roy, who was stationed at the base, news station KWKT reported. Among the reports findings: Specialist Guillen was sexually harassed, but not by Specialist Robinson, and that he had also been accused of unrelated sexual harassment. A memorial at her home was surrounded by angels and figures of the Virgin Mary, which Specialist Guillen wore on a gold necklace that she never removed. Instead, the report said Robinson sexually harassed another soldier. His awards and decorations include two Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Driver and Mechanics Badge and Army Service Ribbon. [45] The investigation found that there was a "permissive environment for sexual assault and sexual harassment at Fort Hood. The command wishes to express its condolences to the families and friends of Specialist Jakob Aton, and all who have been affected by this tragic accident. While investigating the source of the water, the officers found an unlocked apartment and attempted to contact the tenant. Maxwell Hockin. 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. Killeen police officials said officers were called around 1 a.m. March 14 to the Summerlyn Apartments, in reference to gunshots. 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. Body of 3rd Fort Hood soldier found near base in less than month Body of 3rd Fort Hood soldier found near base in less than month (NCD). He was assigned to 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since November 2019. Ms. Aguilar said she helped Specialist Robinson dismember the body with an ax or hatchet and a machete-style knife, according to the complaint. For more on the string of violence at Fort Hood, subscribe now to PEOPLE or. In August of this year, Natalie Khawam, a lawyer for the Guillen family, filed a $35 million lawsuit against the United States Army for sexual assault and the wrongful death of Specialist Guillen, Ms. Khawam said. Last week, there were concerns for Pfc. [3], On the evening of June30, Robinson escaped the custody of an unarmed guard from his unit and fled Fort Hood after hearing the news of the discovery of remains. Army officials confirmed on Saturday that the sergeant had been the alleged victim of abusive sexual contact, NBC News reported. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. According to Fort Hood officials, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Elder Fernandes Army Sgt. The Black Knight family is heartbroken by the loss of Specialist Francisco Hernandezvargas. He said he believed she then left to go to the motor pool. Guilln was stationed at Fort Hood, a U.S. Army installation in Bell County, Texas, which is approximately 340 square miles (880km2) in size and home to III Corps and the First Cavalry Division. Specialist Robinson worked in a building at Fort Hood that was adjacent to where Specialist Guillen worked, according to Special Agent Damon Phelps of the Criminal Investigation Command. 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. Hospital fire in India kills more than a dozen COVID-19 pa Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, US home prices just did something they haven't done since 2012, Celeb-loved jewelry brand Dorsey drops dazzling new styles, White Lotus actor jokes about being hit on following shows success, Is this the couple behind the Worst Art Job Listing Ever?, Undertaker transforms coffin into barbecue grill, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. 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. When Specialist Guillen disappeared, Ms. Aguilar, 22 at the time, was living with Specialist Robinson, according to the complaint. 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. An independent panel concluded last December that Fort Hood leaders did not properly address high rates of sex assault, harassment and drug use at the base, and that Army investigators were understaffed and inexperienced. The Stallion family is truly devastated by the tragic loss of SPC Freddy Delacruz. What are "Jim Crow" laws? Maxwell Hockin, 26, was discovered. When Morales remains were found, Wedel said was told her son decomposed in the field, with dust and debris covering his remains as they sank over time into the ground over time. But the only among the victims may be the institution that them all. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) Traffic flows through the main gate past a welcome sign, July 9, 2013, in Fort Hood, Texas. Aguilar is accused of helping Robinson cut Guillens body into pieces with a machete and an ax, burn her remains and bury them. Interest in the case has been recently rekindled by the Netflix documentary I Am Vanessa Guillen, released on Nov. 17, which examines her life and death and follows her familys journey for justice. The discovery in 2020 of the dismembered and burned remains of Vanessa Guillen, a Fort Hood soldier who disappeared on April 22, 2020, sparked outrage from central Texas to Washington. Vannessa Guilln at Fort Hood led to a reckoning within the Army about sexual assault and harassment. [18] On June13, 2020, hundreds of people assembled at the gates of Fort Hood to protest what organizers felt was a lack of information on the case. Harker Heights police officials said officers were called around 10:16 a.m. to the 2100 block of Fuller Lane, where Rosecrans was found dead. Hernandezvargas was the second soldier who died on the lake in less than a month. [5] Investigators theorized that the remains, previously buried under concrete, had been dug up by wildlife. 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. Thanks for contacting us. This story has been shared 108,209 times. On July 3, the Army confirmed that the remains were Specialist Guillens. 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. 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. This story has been shared 148,076 times. Wednesday, Fort Hood officials said they do not suspect foul play in the death of Spc. [22], On June30, 2020, Army investigators were called in when contractors discovered partial human remains along the Leon River in Belton. "Murnau mit Kirche II" ("Murnau with Church II") set a record price for the Russian artist in a sale at Sotheby's in London on Wednesday . Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time, Lt. Col. Neil Armstrong, commander of 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, said in a news release. Vanessa Guillen: Army confirms sexual harassment of slain soldier as 21 disciplined at Fort Hood By Crystal Bonvillian, Cox Media Group National Content Desk May 04, 2021 at 1:50 pm PDT NOW. She said the reason for his hospital stay was unclear. Specialist Robinson later said he read her the serial numbers and gave her paperwork, according to court documents. In December 2020, the Army found major flaws in the culture at Fort Hood and disciplined more than a dozen officials. Specialist Guillen was reported missing on April 23, 2020. Aaron Robinson escape custody and kill himself. His selfless service and care for others are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Lightning Brigade and our Army, said Col. Ethan Hall, commander of the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. In her statement to detectives, Falcon said Olivares had talked about selling the gun and about a possible robbery of Rosecrans because Olivares wanted more than Rosecrans was wanting to give.. Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 06:32, Destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in a federal investigation, United States Attorney's Office Western District of Texas, "Grand jury indicts Cecily Aguilar on 11 counts in Vanessa Guillen murder trial", "Vanessa Guillen bludgeoned to death by fellow soldier, attorney says; suspect ID'd as Calumet City man", "Civilian charged in plot to dismember and hide remains of murdered Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen", "Pfc. According to Killeen police officials, the men were in a fight that became physical. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. No charges have been filed against the driver, the news station said. She faces a maximum possible penalty of 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine, prosecutors said. We can confirm there is an open investigation of abusive sexual contact involving Sgt. [23] According to a criminal complaint filed in the Western District Court of Texas, Aguilar allegedly helped Robinson dismember and dispose of Guilln's body on April22, 2020, after Robinson told her he had bludgeoned Guilln to death with a hammer inside the armory. 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. Washington CNN The Army announced Tuesday that 14 senior officers will be punished following a probe that was initiated after the murder of a soldier and several other deaths at the Army's. The punishments are the latest Army moves in response to Guillns disappearance and death. Tips can also be submitted anonymously on the Crime Stoppers website or at cid.army.mil/report-a-crime.html. I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. The point of emphasis being that we are going to put every resource and all of the energy we can in this entire institution behind fixing these problems.. [42], On July10, 2020, the Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy announced that he would order a "full independent review" of Guilln's case. And we believe that the person that killed her is that person that sexually harassed her, the one that walked into the shower. No further details surrounding his death have been released. Wedel told Army Times that her family was told he was an adult and there was no proof anything bad had happened to him. [6] On November 29, 2022 Aguilar plead guilty to accessory to murder after the fact and three counts of making a false statement.[7]. We send our most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Private Hogan. 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. We believe that the suspect had killed himself in the morning, and that unfortunately doesnt provide us much information about how this happened, why this happened. Previous Eight alarming cover-ups and contradictions in the East Palestine train wreck chemical nightmare now spreading across . In 2020 alone, 31 soldiers connected to Fort Hood died, including 11 reported as suicides and five as homicides. His awards and decorations included the Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. (U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command). An federal affidavit filed July 2, 2020, details the killing and dismemberment of Army SPC Vanessa Guillen, far left, by fellow soldier SPC Aaron Robinson, center, and his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar. His awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. The entire team is heartbroken. A witness told investigators that Specialist Guillen left the arms room where she had been working and went to the arms room controlled by Specialist Robinson to confirm serial numbers for weapons and equipment, the complaint said.
