The statement also said Fernandes did not report to work Monday as scheduled. Elder Fernandes," the 1st Cavalry said in a statement. Vanessa Guilln, the Fort Hood soldier who has been missing since late April, was murdered and dismembered by a fellow soldier, a woman alleged in a criminal complaint obtained by CBS. We hope to challenge issues which have captured the publics imagination, from JFK and UFOs to 9/11. Brautigam said that unit leaders have been in contact with the family daily to provide comfort and updates as they become available. Aguilar later recognized Guillen . The suspect succumbed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Fernandes, who was born in Cape Verde in West Africa, joined the Army in Sept. 2016. I feel like soldiers going missing should be a much bigger deal than what it is now. It has over 40k soldiers on post. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas later identified Aguilar as Robinson's alleged accomplice. Her sisters said Guillen, 20, told them and fellow soldiers that she was being sexually harassed by a superior and was fearful of reporting the incident because of potential retaliation. Police in Temple said in a statement late Tuesday that a caller initially alerted first responders that there was a man along the railroad tracks. "He came and told me 'yes,' but not to worry about it because he's taking care of it," Elton said. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Fort Hood is shady as fuck. mother, Gloria, wants US Congress to investigate Fort Hood's handling of her daughter's disappearance. . Sometimes these absences garner media attention but the majority of them do not. either didn't care or was covering up her murder. 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). 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. Also in July, the army named a five-person civilian panel to conduct a review of the culture at Fort Hood. Fernandes, ensuring he was aware of all his reporting, care, and victim advocacy options," said division spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam. What Happens To It Now? Mario Eloy Peafrom Texas has been released on bond after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at Fort Hood to avenge Guillen's murder. Milley raised concerns that warning signs of serious trouble may have been missed. Eleven of the deaths remain unresolvedsome. "The unit also facilitated his transfer from a unit who has recently deployed to a different unit within the brigade to ensure he received the proper care and ensure there were no opportunities for reprisals.". 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. Law enforcement, Sewells chain-of-command and her family have been unable to contact her in the time since. Copyright 2022 KWTX. . [11], On 15 June 1963,[12] Site Baker was renamed Killeen Base and turned over to the US Army. She was allegedly bludgeoned to death before her body was chopped up and encased in cement. Since the 21st century, the complex has been used for tunnel warfare training, by various units, who are stationed at Fort Hood. Official websites use .gov Guillen's mother said a few months before her daughter went missing, Vanessa told her she was being sexually harassed by a superior but didn't report it out of fear of retaliation. All we get are HOLLOW statements. Windows 10 is a Tool to Spy on Everything You Do, Maximum building height in Western Europe, FORT HOOD HAS DECLARED WAR ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. **Our intentions are aimed towards a fairer, more transparent world and a better future for everyone. [10] He held the rank of Specialist at the time of his death. on Aug. 17 and did not report to work the following day as scheduled. According to McCarthy, Fort Hood has one of the highest rates of murder, sexual assault, and harassment in the Army. The sergeant has not yet been identified. "We appreciate the working relationship we have with his family as we work together to find him and provide for his well being," Brautigam said. Sgt. Venessa Guillen and Aaron Robinson were co-workers, but were located in different buildings; he was not in her line of command. The army has said they have no evidence of that. Abram Salas II, 21, did not report for . Recruiting commanders and captains bargain with their general to even out the averages so all commands make mission. After a year of record violence at Fort Hood in 2020, army leaders have announced that they are firing or suspending 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at the . The hashtag #IAmVanessaGuillen began circulating on Twitter, and women with a history in the military have come forward to share their own stories of sexual assault. The Army did not give the reason for the hospitalization, citing patient confidentiality rules. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Gabbard said she knows "personally the . Federal prosecutors have saidGuillens body, found in July, was mutilated and burnedbefore it was placed in three different holes after she was bludgeoned to death. Army Secretary Ryan McCarty announced in June that an independent probe into the deaths would be launched. [16] The remains were found in a shallow grave, and search operations were suspended pending identification, said Texas EquuSearch. Sewell was last seen leaving her barracks around 4 p.m. (5 p.m. [10] CID was looking into Robinson's interactions with Guilln. After a year of record violence at Fort Hood in 2020, army leaders have announced that they are firing or suspending 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at the base. Missing Army Sgt. As he returns to the care of his leadership this evening, he will no longer be considered AWOL. Hood is around the bush highway that gets distribution of drugs from mexico through the unregulated rail system. . The Guillen family and Khawam said the deceased male suspect was a superior officer who allegedly walked in on Vanessa as she was showering, sat down and watched her. "[8], There is "no credible evidence" for sexual assault in the case of Aaron Robinson (above), says CID[8], Aaron David Robinson, 20, was a soldier from Calumet City, a southern suburb of Chicago, Illinois. "We are at a loss for words.". Five were murdered. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Elder Fernandes' mother, Ailina Fernandes, and brother, Elton Fernandes, told ABC News in a telephone interview that he had reported being sexually harassed in the months leading up to his disappearance. Pvt. Judge Marmolejo also emphasized that everyone involved in the scheme knew that wearing a uniform would assist in evading detection or arrest. An official website of the United States government. ** "[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. Guillen's mother, Gloria, wants US Congress to investigate Fort Hood's handling of her daughter's disappearance. Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, a 1st Cavalry Division public affairs officer, told CNN in a statement that there is an "open. Reward Increased: Missing Fort Hood Soldier . Later, as local police and federal marshals closed in on Robinson, he died by suicide. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. [1], McQueen reportedly planned "sex parties" for high-ranking officers at Fort Hood and recruited subordinate female soldiers to the fledgling prostitution ring. His disappearance comes days after the 11th death at the Texas base this year. 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. "So were going to look into it very powerfully, the president said. Police said that identification found at the scene indicated the victim may be Fernandes though they were awaiting forensic confirmation and expressed condolences to his family. The news was first announced by the family's attorney Natalie Khawam on Wednesday. Khawam later said she was told Guillen and Robinson had an argument in the armory where they worked after she discovered his alleged affair with the estranged wife of a former soldier. "[10], In response, the US Army called for a panel of four civilian consultants to review the "command climate and culture" at Fort Hood in Texas, in the wake of the killing of Spc. [20] Robinson was a combat engineer assigned to A Troop, Engineer Squadron. Lock Prior to this year, there were 38 deaths at Fort Hood in 2019, including 17 deaths by suicide; in 2018, there were a total of 28 deaths, with 16 deaths by suicide. The news was first announced by the family's. The military base's 1st Cavalry Division has asked for public help in locating the 23-year-old specialist. Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Aguilar, 22, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence for helping dispose of Vanessa Guillen's body, authorities said. Investigators then found unidentified human remains about 20 miles away from the base, near the area investigators previously checked, according to court documents. Hood soldier, What We Know About the Death of Vanessa Guillen, Army announces new investigation into Vanessa Guillen case as senior Fort Hood official removed from post, Army officials reveal new details in Vanessa Guillen case, U.S. Army Foot Hood website: REMEMBERING VANESSA GUILLEN, What to know about missing Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen, The military failed him, family of slain Fort Hood soldier Gregory Wedel Morales says, The military failed him: Soldiers bones found months after he was labeled a deserter, Family hopes autopsy will help strike dead Fort Hood soldiers name from deserter list, Fort Hood: What we know about 12 soldiers missing, slain or killed in accidents since January, Lawmakers to officially introduce #IAmVanessaGuillen bill Wednesday, Military makes little effort to punish deserters, A Year of Heartbreak and Bloodshed at Fort Hood, Missing Fort Hood soldier found in Louisiana, Vanessa Guillens Mother Claims Her Killer Did Not Die. 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. Both Gore and Williams were permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 30-month-term of imprisonment for Gore, while Williams received 24 months. Jennifer Sewell, a soldier whos been missing since last Thursday. These actions come in the aftermath of many incidents tied to Fort Hood this year including 26 soldiers who died by suicide, homicide, or other brutality. U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas, Fort Hood soldiers sentenced for role in alien smuggling conspiracy, Three men admit to fatal smuggling event in Mission, Texan sentenced for transporting people in trunk, Fort Hood Soldiers Sentenced For Role In Alien Smuggling Conspiracy. Last year, at least 39 Fort Hood soldiers died or went missing. His family also traveled from Massachusetts to Texas to help look for him. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 5:11 PM EDT, Sun October 10, 2021. Apparently, Giving Money To People Reduces Poverty & Hunger. Plenty, plenty, plenty of fucked up shit goes down there on the regular. Warning: Tampering with sensitive contents on this page may constitute a violation of law, and may be subject to world-wide-web service disconnect. Specialist Cole Jakob Aton was the most recent death,after he was hit by a car and died on August 12. 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. Fernandes was officially considered Absent Without Leave (AWOL) on Tuesday, according to a base official. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Updated: May 16, 2022 / 07:13 AM CDT. Her family says she was the target of sexual harassment. 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. The Hood network involves abducting both young civilians and soldiers from 18 to 23, both male and female, into a sex program. Fort Hood investigators said on their Facebook page that they "have no credible information or report that Guillen was sexually assaulted.". 1000 Louisiana, Ste. Gabbard said she knows "personally the strength of the chain of command. Robinson consented to a search of his cellphone records, which showed that on the day Guillen went missing that he made several calls to his girlfriend, Aguilar, throughout the day into the early morning hours of April 23, according to court documents. The prolonging process, in a sizable coverup, is given in the following report: Although authorities said there is no connection between the two cases of Wedel-Morales and Guillen, Atlantas Cold Case Investigative Research Institute founder, Sheryl McCollum, disagrees, who maintains that the soldiers deaths are linked. Fort Hood said Fernandes, a native of Brockton, Mass., was found deceased near Lake Polk in Temple, Texas, about 30 miles from the base. Jennifer Sewell, a soldier who's been missing since last Thursday. [21], Fox 44 reached out to Fort Hoods Public Affairs office to get an update on their current investigations involving the deaths of the soldiers and received no response. Army officials said that one suspect in the case killed himself, and another was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. New Climate Change Report Confirms: Everythings Terrible, But Maybe Not Hopeless. All are active duty soldiers with the U.S. Army. "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. 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. Initial investigation appears that Sewell left for unknown reasons on her own accord, the statement said, noting she does not own a vehicle. Brautigam also confirmed that Fernandes was hospitalized from Aug. 11 to Aug. 17, the day he went missing. The disappearance came a year after the disappearance of Pfc . The army either didn't care or was covering up her murder. In 2016, 221 Fort Hood Soldiers went absent without leave. The investigation began June 13, 2021. Fort Hood said Fernandes' disappearance sparked a thorough search in Central Texas, with members of his base scouring hospitals and hotels. Shady for sure. Construction crews carved out tunnels and blast-proof underground steel vaults. Vanessa Guillen, 20, has been missing from her unit since April 22, 2020, according to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. On June 19, authorities discovered skeletal remains,[5] which they claimed to belong to Wedel-Morales. The body of Hernandezvargas, from Woodside,New York, was also recovered from the water after a boating incident on August 2. ANOTHER Fort Hood soldier has gone missing as the base has been rocked by numerous deaths over the past year. His family members have publicly questioned the base's narrative that he left on his own volition. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Marmolejo noted that Gore and Williams, as soldiers in the Army, were not the average citizen, which justified a tougher sentence. Another suspect, Cecily Aguilar, 22, Robinson's girlfriend, is accused of helping him dispose of Guillen's body. Despite detecting an odor of decomposition, no remains were found, according to court documents. Assistant district attorney from Williamson County suspended after DWI wreck in Hewitt, Austin police looking for teen mom who ran away from state facility with newborn son, Tornadic weather conditions made it difficult for fire crews to extinguish house that caught fire after being struck by lightning, New non-profit coming to Bell County in fight against homelessness, Change was like night and day: Mother testifies in retrial of ex-Waco day care owner charged in childs overdose death. A number of service members have died or gone missing while stationed at the Army post just outside Killeen, Texas, in recent years, including 20-year-old Spc. Have you had any close calls or times when you had to nope the fuck out of there? All of this is expected to trigger further investigations, which could lead to additional punishments for those found responsible. Just google all the insane shit that happens there (that's publicly known).they have underground tunnels/bunkers. Pfc. Aguilar is interviewed twice by investigators. 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. Khawam said the body was found hanging in a tree, and that a backpack on the scene had Fernandes' driver's license inside. "The Army has confirmed that the bones, hair and other remains found are Vanessa Guillen," Khawam said in a statement. Anyone with information on Fernandes is urged to contact the Fort Hood Military Police at 254-288-1170, U.S. Army CID at 254-287-2722, or the Killeen Police Department at 254-200-7905. Rule 2 does apply throughout the rest of this thread. 2nd Class Gregory Wedel-Morales went missing in 2019 while driving in Killeen, Texas. Never publicized. [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. 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. Army Pfc. In a harrowing twist, the search for Guillen kicks off the same week that investigators uncovered the skeletal remains of Private Gregory Wedel-Morales, one of two Fort Hood soldiers who went. 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. In addition to these horrifying deaths, other incidents at Fort Hood this year included the death of Sgt. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. That is wild. Authorities in Texas are searching for another missing Fort Hood soldier amid a tumultuous period for the base that's included multiple service members turning up dead. Fernandes' older brother, Elton Fernandes, said that he spoke to him about the alleged incident, asking if it was true. Brandon Scott Rosecrans, 27, was found shot to death and his vehicle set on fire in May. Officials at Fort Hood in Texas are searching for Pfc. Quotas in recruiting(I used to be 1) are about as fluid as it comes. Jennifer Sewell was last seen her barracks at Fort Hood on October 7, 2021, according to the Ford Hood Director of Emergency Servics. It's right up there as most hated place to be posted. Vanessa's older sister, 22-year-old Mayra, started an online fundraiser to cover the cost of a private investigator and an attorney. Is a lawyer and publicity to beat the army up to get answers? Above all else, we respect everyone's opinions and ALL religious beliefs and creeds. 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. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Well get to the bottom of it, and maybe things can come out that will help other people in a situation like Vanessa.. The secretary of the Army has ordered a broad independent review of the command climate and culture at Fort Hood, Texas, in the wake of the murder of Guillen. As law enforcement agencies continue to investigate, Fort Hood is continuing its own search efforts. Its just nothing. 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. A joint investigation later confirmed Oppongagyare, Saint-Joie, Williams and Palmer each served a role in the conspiracy as drivers who would travel to locations in Texas to transport the aliens in exchange for money. Foul play is also suspected in Wedel-Morales' death, and the Army is offering a $25,000 reward for information. Authorities further confirmed that Gore actively recruited people to pick up undocumented aliens. I saved myself from Royal life, Harry says & insists 'sharing's an act of service', Love Island's Olivia Hawkins breaks silence as she returns to the UK, Loose Women star lined up to be Strictly's first contestant in wheelchair, Coronation Street fans horrified as Amy Barlow is raped in disturbing scenes, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, a 1st Cavalry Division public affairs officer, said last week that Fernandes had previously transferred units after reporting sexual abuse, and that an investigation into the allegation remained open. Multiple deaths of young US soldiers at Fort Hood,[4] has shed light on a sexual assault ring in Killeen, Texas. **The conspiracy subreddit is a thinking ground. 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. People were showing up for P.T. And his Jeep was on fire. His car was also found burned nearby. The base said in a statement on Friday that Fernandes was last seen by members of his unit at a residence in Killeen, Texas. Mejhor Morta, 26, of Pensacola, Florida, was found in the vicinity of Stillhouse Hollow Lake around 20 minutes from Fort Hood military base inTexason July 17.
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