The lifeless body of Sergeant Sarah Roque was found in a dumpster on base at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. A 21-year-old soldier stationed there has been charged with her murder. Specialist Wooster Rancy, “a combat engineer with the 5th Engineer Battalion.”
Missing Sergeant found deceased
On October 21, the disappearance of 23-year-old Sergeant Sarah Roque was the start of another big scandal for the military. Personnel stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, made a frantic search for her.
It ended when her body “was found in a dumpster on the military base.” Investigators didn’t need to follow the clues far. They quickly led directly to Wooster Rancy. He allegedly killed her the day before.
The combat engineer is facing charges for the murder of Sergeant Roque, along with obstructing justice in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
As of Thursday, October 31, Rancy’s “in pretrial confinement awaiting a preliminary hearing.” The press weren’t aware of any attorney representing him.
The search was prompted by Sergeant Roque missing her morning formation. Her unit members fanned out to check her usual points of activity. Instantly, the base’s emergency services and local law enforcement agencies were both notified. Everyone available kept searching until “her body was found later in the evening in a dumpster.”
Just a few days later, the base located about 140 miles southwest of St. Louis announced “that a person of interest had been taken into custody in connection with the death.”
Criminal Investigation Division
While local authorities are being kept in the loop, the crime is entirely a military matter. The death of Sergeant Roque “is under investigation by the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division.”
CID notes that “it’s unclear whether there was a relationship between Rancy and Roque, and a motive in the killing has not been announced.” There is one connection to start with.
“Both of them were members of the Fifth Engineer Battalion.” Everyone on base has been rattled by the incident.
The Fort Leonard Wood “community is ‘devastated‘ by the tragic loss, a spokesman notes, extending ‘deepest sympathies‘ to Roque’s family, friends and fellow soldiers.” The sergeant was apparently popular.
“Unfortunately, the outcome of our efforts was one that we had all hoped and prayed would not happen.” They’ll make sure her murderer gets all the justice he deserves.
“As our team continues to mourn, please know that our focus remains on providing the care, support and resources needed during this difficult time for the unit and most importantly, the family.” Sergeant Roque hailed from Lubbock, Texas, and served as “a bridge crew member and mine dog handler” with the battalion’s K9 Detachment.
