A 21-year-old soldier at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, has been charged with the murder of a fellow service member, whose body was found in a dumpster on the base. Specialist Wooster Rancy, from the 5th Engineer Battalion, is accused of killing 23-year-old Sergeant Sarah Roque. Roque was reported missing after she did not show up for her morning formation on October 21. The discovery of her body led to a thorough investigation by the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
The base announced Spc. Rancy's pretrial confinement and upcoming preliminary hearing in a statement yesterday, according to WSVN. A motive for the killing has not been disclosed, and it is unclear if Rancy and Roque had a personal relationship.
Rancy, originally from North Miami, Florida, joined the Army in 2022 and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, located about 140 miles southwest of St. Louis. Roque, a bridge crew member and mine dog handler from Lubbock, Texas, enlisted in 2020 and also trained at the same facility. She received several commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Fort Leonard Wood’s commanding officer, extended condolences to the family, friends, and fellow soldiers of Sergeant Roque. He acknowledged the tremendous void her untimely death has left, describing her as a daughter, sister, friend, and soldier who served the country bravely and honorably. Sgt. Roque's funeral is scheduled for tomorrow in Indiana, as per FOX News.
Roque's tragic death follows the unsolved murder of Army Pfc. Katia Dueñas Aguilar is near Fort Campbell. No suspect has been identified in Aguilar's case, but her death was ruled a homicide due to sharp force injuries, with an autopsy revealing 68 stab wounds. Investigations into both murders by Army CID are ongoing in the search for clarity and justice.
