Seven known US personnel were about to go public, but were murdered, or framed as dead and trafficked overseas. 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. Discovery Company. "On Sunday, he spoke with his mom, promising that he will call on Monday from his phone to give us more information," said Isabel Fernandes. Can confirm, barriers to entry are lower. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Fernandes' disappearance comes after a difficult month for Fort Hood. When Vanessa Guillen was a little girl, she dreamed of joining the Army, her family said. The body of Spc Vanessa Guillen, 20,was found in a shallow grave near the Leon River about 20 miles east of the Fort Hood military base following her April disappearance. [8] Robinson "was not in CID custody" at the time he left his post.[8]. However, with the investigation underway, its unclear what other actions will be taken based on findings and its possible that the officers and soldiers may be fully released with dishonorable discharges, among other consequences. I mean we can all do that.[4], The family of Gregory Wedel-Morales says that lack of justice coupled with a lack of transparency is serious cause for concern adding that Fort Hood needs to do a better job of ensuring safety for their younger soldiers on and off post. A Warner Bros. Fernandes, ensuring he was aware of all his reporting, care, and victim advocacy options," said division spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam. That is crazy. Elder Fernandes," the 1st Cavalry said in a statement. Vanessa Guillen, a Fort Hood soldier who went missing in April and whose remains were identified in July. The suspect succumbed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death followed ten other soldiers includingVanessa Guillen, whoseremains were found months after she went missing. Foul play is also suspected in Wedel-Morales' death, and the Army is offering a $25,000 reward for information. At some point, her family says she confided in her two sisters, Lupe and Mayra, that she was having problems while posted at Fort Hood, the sprawling Army base outside of Killeen, Texas. It definitely seems like something is up. Then would send his little 'soldiers' in to burglarize their homes. statement by the Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services. Investigators said he likely drowned, though no foul play is suspected. 56, WARNING:FORT HOOD HAS DECLARED WAR ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Elder Fernandes, 23, is pictured in a photo released by the Killeen Police Department in Killeen, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2020. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. [16][17] Guilln was a small-arms repairer assigned to Support Troop, Engineer Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. All Rights Reserved. During a bond hearing federal prosecutor Mark Frazier told the judge that Aguilar made phone calls from jail where she told the person on the line that she had access to $5,000 to leave the country. Guillen's suspected . [10] The Army, League of United Latin American Citizens and Houston rapper Baby Bash have pooled together a $55,000 reward for information on Vanesssas Guillen's disappearance. Hood is around the bush highway that gets distribution of drugs from mexico through the unregulated rail system. "Our worst nightmare has happened," Khawam said. At the time of arrest, both men were wearing their U.S. Army uniforms. Found out their "leader" was a staff sgt who was aware of who was on post, exercises, etc and knew which houses would be empty and when. 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. A Lot Of People Bought Cuomosexual Merch In 2020. There is no other range in the world where you have to worry about how much oxygen there is to breathe, says Gene Bauer, Fort Hood Range Manager. Never publicized. Fernandes who is originally from Massachusetts is a Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear specialist at Fort Hood. A federal magistrate judge denied Cecily Aguilar bail after prosecutors revealed she expressed her desires to flee the country. . Fax Line: 713-718-3300. And in her statement, Khawam said Fernandes is the thirteenth Fort Hood soldier to have "vanished or been killed" this year. Above all else, we respect everyone's opinions and ALL religious beliefs and creeds. Her family says she was the target of sexual harassment. Soldiers were assaulted, beaten, robbed. Sometimes these absences garner media attention but the majority of them do not. Five were murdered. Fort Hood CID. On June 30, Robinson went missing from his Fort Hood post. Venessa Guillen and Aaron Robinson were co-workers, but were located in different buildings; he was not in her line of command. [2], In McQueens statementhe knew a man who would attend a party and have sex and that he believed [they] could make money there and a lot of it. He added, We specifically talked about swinger parties, stripper parties.[3], Part of the Killeen, Texas sex trafficking scandal, Subterranean training at West Fort Hood, 2014 in Night Vision. . Murder suspect Aaron Robinson, 20, took his own life after fleeing the base. Results from the investigation will be released in October. Aaron David Robinson, 20, African American combat engineer, went missing from his Fort Hood post on June 30. [10], Garcia said it would be up to Defense Secretary Mark Esper "to make sure that the Department of Defense does its job, and does a full independent investigation. The family said it was foul play repeatedly. CNN The body of a missing Fort Hood soldier has been found. Sgt. "I have long advocated for real reforms for them to report these incidents outside the chain of command," Gabbard added. You dont get fired. 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. Lupe Guillen said the hashtags #FindVanessaGuillen, #IamVanessaGuillen and #WeAreVanessaGuillen have become a sounding board for other military members who say they've been victims of sex-related crimes while on duty. still completely intoxicated from the night before, throwing up and passing out in formation. Vanessa Guillen, 20, has been missing from her unit since April 22, 2020, according to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. Two more who had separated. [11] The secret project was classified as an underground weapons storage area,[12] where weapons were stored in reinforced concrete and steel bunkers. Warning: Tampering with sensitive contents on this page may constitute a violation of law, and may be subject to world-wide-web service disconnect. [8] The discovery was made after U.S. Army investigators supposedly received a tip directing them to the location of the body, officials said. Elder Fernandes, 23, is pictured in a poster released by Fort Hood in Texas on Aug. 20, 2020. In June, police also found the skeletal remains of 24-year-old Pvt Gregory Scott Morales Oklahoma in a field after they received a tip following his disappearance on August 19, 2019. Army Names Independent Panel In Fort Hood Review, Following Vanessa Guillen Killing. 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. She told her mother, Gloria Guillen, that she did not feel safe at the base and that a sergeant there had been sexually harassing her, according toCrime Online. Authorities further confirmed that Gore actively recruited people to pick up undocumented aliens. Anyone with information about where she might be is asked to contact Fort Hood Military Police. We need to find her and get justice," Mayra Guillen wrote. Officials at Fort Hood in Texas are searching for Pfc. Mejhor Morta; Pvt Gregory Scott Morales; and Francisco Gilberto Hernndez-Vargas. As We Mourn The Death Of Lauren Smith-Fields, Where Is The Justice For Missing Black Women & Girls? "So were going to look into it very powerfully, the president said. 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. "My sister DID NOT sign up to the ARMY to be held AGAINST her will. Another Fort Hood soldier, Pfc. Fort Hood investigators said on their Facebook page that they "have no credible information or report that Guillen was sexually assaulted.". New Climate Change Report Confirms: Everythings Terrible, But Maybe Not Hopeless. According to Khawam, Fernandes was sexually assaulted by his sergeant, then "bullied and hazed for reporting it.". The news was first announced by the family's. Mejhor Morta, 26, was found unresponsive in the vicinity of Stillhouse Lake, according to Army officials, The body of Pvt Gregory Scott Morales, 24, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was found Friday in a field after officials at nearby Fort Hood received a tip, Fort Hood officials said Spc Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas' body was recovered after a boating accident, Vanessa Guillen's mom is seen here with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Reuters), Pfc. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. But their contact ended abruptly, according to his aunt. Fernandes, who was born in Cape Verde in West Africa, joined the Army in Sept. 2016. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. hide caption. Specialist Aaron David Robinson, Gregory Wedel-Morales, Private Mejhor Morta, Specialist Francisco Gilberto Hernandez-Vargas, Private First Class Brandon Scott Rosecrans, Private First Class Freddy Delacruz Jr, Specialist Christopher Wayne Sawyer and Specialist Shelby Tyler Jones were all found dead at Fort Hood this year. Assistant U.S. Well get to the bottom of it, and maybe things can come out that will help other people in a situation like Vanessa.. Officials described Sewell as an African American woman with brown hair and brown eyes who is 5-foot-5. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The familiy conveyed to Attorney Natalie Khawam, that Guilln may have planned to file a harassment complaint, but perhaps the assailant had become enraged if she threatened to report him. Why Kamala Harris Feels Optimistic About The Future Of Abortion Rights, What Abortion Rights Will Look Like in Your State, After the Uvalde Shooting, We Need Gun Control Not More Border Security, How To Help Those Affected By The Texas School Shooting. Fort Hood is conducting an investigation in whether Guilln was sexually harassed or not.[10]. Vanessa Guillen's remains have been identified after the U.S. Army soldier went missing from Fort Hood in April. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Pvt. Guillen was so badly beaten, she had to be identified through strains of her hair. Should Wealthy Countries Give COVID Booster Shots When Other Countries Still Dont Have Vaccines. Fernandes also had a new apartment waiting to be moved into with rent and utilities paid, but he never picked up the key, according to his aunt and mother. Most notably, Guilln went missing for almost two months in the beginning of the year before her remains were found and it was declared that she had been murdered. Have you had any close calls or times when you had to nope the fuck out of there? The Army just now says that there is foul play in the disappearance of Vanessa Guillen. "Our primary concern is for his health and well-being," the Army said in the. Gregory Morales, was reported missing from the base a year ago on August 20, 2019. All we get are HOLLOW statements. When the bodies start piling up, the situation cannot be ignored. The 1st Cavalry Division confirmed there is an open investigation into alleged abusive sexual contact involving Fernandes to ABC News Friday evening, saying that he was moved to a new unit and steps were taken to shield him from retribution. In 2016, 221 Fort Hood Soldiers went absent without leave. The base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces. 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. She reported it to her family. [4], Phone records led investigators to suspects in Vanessa Guillen's disappearance, Mother of missing soldier Vanessa Guillen 'I want my daughter alive! I know that there have been shootings on Fort Hood but some people say that theres a big sex trafficking circle going on there. Eleven soldiers have died at the Fort Hood military base this year. The 20-year-old's family drove to Washington, D.C. from Texas to demand a Congressional investigation into her disappearance and their assertion that she was sexually assaulted, and ultimately. [20] Robinson was a combat engineer assigned to A Troop, Engineer Squadron. McCarthy has also ordered a new Army policy that will amend how officials deal with missing soldiers. Just google all the insane shit that happens there (that's publicly known).they have underground tunnels/bunkers. When I was there it was found that the military had organized crime and drug rings operating ON POST and in the surrounding areas. According to a complaint, Robinson told Aguilar he fatally struck a female soldier in the head with a hammer at Fort Hood on April 22 before moving her body to a remote Bell County location. ANOTHER Fort Hood soldier has gone missing as the base has been rocked by numerous deaths over the past year. [12] The training in this facility is unlike any other facility. Basically the military is running around cities drugging people, then running social experiments on people. 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. Vanessa didn't report the incident, her family said, because she feared reprisals. **The conspiracy subreddit is a thinking ground. Robinson enlisted Aguilar to help him dispose of Guillen's body, according to the complaint. [16] The remains were found in a shallow grave, and search operations were suspended pending identification, said Texas EquuSearch. Reward Increased: Missing Fort Hood Soldier . Anne Aguilar is taken into custody by Texas Rangers on suspicion of being involved in the disappearance of Vanessa Guilln. Updated on: June 3, 2016 / 10:45 PM / CBS/AP. This is a forum for free thinking, not hate speech. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. The officials who have been let go include Major General Scott Efflandt, who was in charge of the base earlier this year when Vanessa Guilln was killed, in addition to Major General Jeffery Broadwater, the commander of the 1st Cavalry Divisions. The investigation began June 13, 2021. Im at a dead end and cant find anything, Ft Hood Body Count: can't top Fort Bragg Body Count, https://www.dvidshub.net/news/136750/suicide-real-major-concern-fort-bragg-and-nation, https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/27/us/rash-of-wife-killings-at-ft-bragg-leaves-the-base-wondering-why.html. [20], Spc. Officials at Fort Hood, Texas, said Sunday that a soldier who had disappeared from the base was found safe with her family. "[8], 3rd Combined Arms Battalion conducting subterranean training in West Fort Hood, 2008, In 1947, Armed Forces Special Weapons Command constructed an underground installation built near Killeen, Texas, called Site Baker. As law enforcement agencies continue to investigate, Fort Hood is continuing its own search efforts. 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). [10], US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and civilian law enforcement are investigating Guillen's disappearance. On July 30, Pea wrote a social media post saying there would be an active shooter at the base, according to an affidavit obtained by KXAN. Despite detecting an odor of decomposition, no remains were found, according to court documents. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. Mario Eloy Peafrom Texas has been released on bond after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at Fort Hood to avenge Guillen's murder. He had been reported missing on Aug. 18. Fernandes as we work to find him," Brautigam said. Khawam also represents the family of Spc. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. "The Army has confirmed that the bones, hair and other remains found are Vanessa Guillen," Khawam said in a statement. Abram Salas II, 21, who was the focus of a search that started after he failed to report for duty on June 23, returned to his unit on Saturday, Fort Hood confirmed Tuesday in a press release . Vanessa Guillen. Robinson then drove Aguilar to the Leon River, where he opened the box to reveal Guillen's body, court records show. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. There is widespread public misunderstanding of what happens when a Soldier . But some families havent been able to confirm the bodies of our loved ones, leaving us to believe that Aaron David Robinson has been kidnapped. . 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. About two weeks before that, on July 1, human remains were discovered near Fort Hood and subsequently identified as Guillen. Published As investigators searched for Guillen's body amid her disappearance, multiple other soldiers' bodies were recovered. The consultants' names have not yet been made public. The disappearance came a year after the disappearance of Pfc . on Aug. 17 and did not report to work the following day as scheduled. His family also traveled from Massachusetts to Texas to help look for him. Guillen was the third service member from the base to be found dead this summer. The news was first announced by the family's attorney Natalie Khawam on Wednesday. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Elder Fernandes went missing just days after the 11th death at Fort Hood military base. 22, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Everything is like pulling teeth to get any information from them.". Interspersed throughout the complex are rooms of various sizes that are still equipped with steel rails for overhead cranes. While at work on April 22, Guillen was contacted by a fellow soldier, Specialist Aaron David Robinson, via text message to deliver paperwork regarding a machine gun that needed to be serviced, according to court documents. How Republicans & Democrats Weaponize Latinx Trauma to Get Votes. I also wish to contest that they arent meeting quotas. 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]. She was allegedly bludgeoned to death before her body was chopped up and encased in cement. It has over 40k soldiers on post. by: Allison . His mother and aunt, Isabel Fernandes, told ABC News that they spoke to him on the phone several times while he was at the hospital, but he did not reveal much as to why he was there. Ft Hood is the largest military base IN THE WORLD. 1000 Louisiana, Ste. 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. [11], On 15 June 1963,[12] Site Baker was renamed Killeen Base and turned over to the US Army. His aunt said Fernandes used to live at the address, but his former roommate told the family he had not stayed there for some time, and never entered after he was dropped off. People were showing up for P.T. 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. It added that Fernandes' only known vehicle was located on base at his unit's parking lot, and information gathered from other soldiers suggested he had left on his own accord. The body of missing Fort Hood soldier Elder Fernandes was found on Tuesday night, more than one week after the 23-year-old sergeant was last seen. Wasn't that uncommon to find drug paraphernalia in equipment, dorms, work areas, etc. Jennifer Sewell had failed to report for duty on Thursday,. Investigators with CID identified Robinson as the deceased suspect who had been accused of killing Vanessa Guillen on April 22. Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie were indicted and pleaded guilty Aug. 11 and 12, respectively, in 2021. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? On June 19, skeletal remains found near Fort Hood, following an anonymous tip, were later identified as Pvt. Did you encounter any technical issues? "We are seeking your help in locating Sgt. "The unit continues to search areas of the base and is periodically checking his home, area hotels, and other areas of interest," a Fort Hood official said. Guillen was last seen in the parking lot at Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Regiment on the Fort Hood base, according to theUSArmy. Isaiah Gore, 21, and Denerio Williams, 22, pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2021, another co-conspirator Ivory Palmer, 21, pleaded guilty Jan. 10. If I hadn't been on post at the time, wouldn't have learned about it since it never got publicized. mother, Gloria, wants US Congress to investigate Fort Hood's handling of her daughter's disappearance. [7], Army Inspector General investigation is assessing whether the climate fostered by Fort Hood commanders is supportive of reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Specialist Guillen was reported missing from Fort Hood in April 2020, and her remains were found on June 30, 2020. https://heavy.com/news/2020/06/foul-play-suspected-after-greg-morales-found-dead/, Brandon Rosecrans was found dead with a gunshot wound 13 miles from base. Milley raised concerns that warning signs of serious trouble may have been missed. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/army-suspects-foul-play-disappearance-fort-hood-soldier-vanessa-guillen-n1231928/, Army suspects foul play when they find Gregory Morales body outside of Fort Hood. Dawn Gomez holds her 3-year-old granddaughter, Saryia Greer, who waves at Vanessa Guillen's mural painted by Alejandro "Donkeeboy" Roman Jr. on the side of Taqueria Del Sol, July 2, 2020, in Houston. After giving a false statement that Robinson was calling her phone repeatedly because she couldn't find it, she told investigators that on the night of April 22, they took a "long drive" to Belton, Texas, to "look at the stars," according to court document. The main suspect in her disappearance, another soldier, killed himself as investigators confronted him. The army has said they have no evidence of that. Lock Khawam announced at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol that a suspect tied to Guillen's disappearance died by suicide, and that a second suspect, a woman, had been arrested. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Secretary of the Army announces missing Soldier policy, forms People First Task Force to implement Fort Hood Independent Review Committee (FHIRC) recommendations By U.S. Army December 8, 2020 . Elder Fernandes, who was found hanging from a tree over the summer, as well as Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas, a 24-year-old soldier who drowned near the base.