Soldier charged with murder in death from a fellow soldier at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, the Army announced Thursday.
The Army Special Counsel’s Office charged the 21-year-old CPS. Wooster Rancy Wednesday on charges of murder and obstruction of justice in the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23 years old. Roque – who was from Ligonier, Indiana, and worked as a mine detection dog handler – was reported missing on October 20. His body was discovered in a trash can on base two days later.
Fort Leonard Wood officials said last week they were investigating Roque’s death as a homicide and had a person of interest in custody last Thursday. Officials also stressed that there was no broader threat to base personnel or the community.
But Army investigators have released few other details about what happened, including the cause of Roque’s death or a possible motive.
Officials said the suspect was from North Miami, Fla., and joined the Army in 2022. He serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, and conducted training combat base at Fort Leonard Wood.
Roque enlisted in 2020. Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Military Service Ribbon. She was a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion and enlisted in 2020.
Wood of Fort Léonard
