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. 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. Just google all the insane shit that happens there (that's publicly known).they have underground tunnels/bunkers. [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. Robinson's cellphone records corroborated Aguilar's story and placed the pair along the Leon River, according to court documents. [12], More than 90 feet[13] below the mountain top,[12] tunnel corridors stretch 20 feet wide with 30-foot ceilings big enough for vehicles to travel the tunnels. 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. The circumstances of related deaths have exposed an underground human sex trafficking ring in Killian, Texas, with West Fort Hood as the hub. [8], In the case of Vanessa Guilln, US Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Texas, demanded an independent investigation into Fort Hood's handling of the murder of Guillen, one of Garcia's constituents. [8] Robinson "was not in CID custody" at the time he left his post.[8]. The body of Vanessa Guillen, 20,was found in a shallow grave near where she vanished in April. "It was an ongoing investigation for two months that will never get closure," his mother said. The main suspect in her disappearance, another soldier, killed himself as investigators confronted him. The army has said they have no evidence of that. We are exceedingly thankful for the communitys support and will issue another statement shortly, officials on post said in a Facebook post. Aguilar, 22, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence for helping dispose of Vanessa Guillen's body, authorities said. 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. That is crazy. The Guillen family created social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to call attention to Vanessa's sexual assault allegation and disappearance. When I was there it was found that the military had organized crime and drug rings operating ON POST and in the surrounding areas. The 24-year-old's remains were found on June 21 in a. My friends grandma lives out there right in between the base and the prison crwzy stuff. Investigators say they have skeletal or partial remains, and bodies of suicides and murders. He was reported by US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) to have commited suicide "As officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, the suspect displayed a weapon and discharged it toward himself. "It is truly disappointing how Fort Hood Army Base, a military base, has not given answers to Vanessa's family," Khawam, the family's attorney, wrote on Facebook. [20], Spc. Initial investigation appears that Sewell left for unknown reasons on her own accord, the statement said, noting she does not own a vehicle. Aguilar faces one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. Four other soldiers who went missing are: SpcVanessa Guillen; Pvt. U.S. Army via AP Pvt. 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. "They can't give answers. The 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen was last seen April 22 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 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. Her case inspired protests and led the Army to discipline more than a. "[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. Vanessa Guillen bludgeoned to death on Army base, family attorney says, Fort Hood soldier found shot dead miles from his vehicle burning near Texas base, Army launches civilian review of Fort Hood following Vanessa Guillen's killing, Going Underground; A Look at the Tunnels Under West Fort Hood, http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/ufo/krill.papers, Vanessa Guilln was so brutally dismembered and burned that investigators COULDNT use dental records to identify her, Remains of missing soldier Vanessa Guilln identified by Army, family says, Killing of Vanessa Guilln#Persons involved, We have a problem at Fort Hood: Expert says murders of soldiers Vanessa Guillen and Gregory Morales are linked. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Elder Fernandes was last seen by members of his unit on Aug. 17. Officials within Vanessa Guillen's unit become aware she's missing, according to court documents. Two more who had separated. 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 . There are a few that are worse, but not many. The news was first announced by the family's attorney Natalie Khawam on Wednesday. Elder Fernandes, 23. 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. Online there was a group of young teens bragging about breaking into houses of soldiers. According to the Associated Press, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy opted to remove officials from their jobs including two general officers after findings from an independent panel investigation revealed the bases widespread problems. In addition to these horrifying deaths, other incidents at Fort Hood this year included the death of Sgt. I also wish to contest that they arent meeting quotas. Fernandes' disappearance comes after a difficult month for Fort Hood. Several social media groups had been raising awareness about the soldiers disappearance for days before the Army post acknowledged the disappearance Sunday evening. They first reached out Aug. 11, when Fernandes was admitted to the hospital, he added. Fort Hood investigators said on their Facebook page that they "have no credible information or report that Guillen was sexually assaulted.". Everything is like pulling teeth to get any information from them.". The remains were found in a field in Killeen, Texas, about 26 miles from the site of Guillns remains at Leon River. CNN The body of a missing Fort Hood soldier has been found. On that day, authorities caught Emmanuel Oppongagyare and Ralph Gregory Saint-Joie smuggling undocumented aliens in the trunk of a vehicle at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located in Hebbronville. 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. Hood is around the bush highway that gets distribution of drugs from mexico through the unregulated rail system. Meanwhile, an Army official said Army investigators have found information that Guillen was harassed, but that it was not sexual harassment, as Guillen's family has claimed, and that it did not involve alleged killer Robinson. "And there's a lot more that I don't know; only Elder will be able to tell us, when we find him.". Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Milley raised concerns that warning signs of serious trouble may have been missed. Gabbard said she knows "personally the strength of the chain of command. Khawam announced at the press conference, attended by veterans including Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, that she's planning to propose legislation to protect U.S. military soldiers from sexual harassment and sexual assault. 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. Im former military. Vanessa Guillen was last seen in the parking lot of the Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters for 3rd Cavalry Regiment, The president offered to personally help pay for Guillen's funeral, Trump reportedly told Guillen's family he supported the congressional bill titled #IAmVanessaGuillen. According to McCarthy, Fort Hood has one of the highest rates of murder, sexual assault, and harassment in the Army. 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. The Fernandes family has retained an attorney, Natalie Khawam, who's also the attorney for the family of Vanessa Guillen, 20, who went missing from Fort Hood in late April and whose remains were discovered near the base months later. "I have long advocated for real reforms for them to report these incidents outside the chain of command," Gabbard added. When a Soldier Goes Missing. Gregory Wedel-Morales missing since 2019, Pvt. Sgt. Since the 21st century, the complex has been used for tunnel warfare training, by various units, who are stationed at Fort Hood. CID said on July 1 that investigators had conducted more than 300 interviews in the case.[8], Fort Hood officials said they were not aware of reports of sexual harassment involving Robinson but the investigation was ongoing. Officials at Fort Hood in Texas are searching for Pfc. Aguilar is expected in federal court in Waco, Texas, for arraignment on July 6. "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. Robinson then drove Aguilar to the Leon River, where he opened the box to reveal Guillen's body, court records show. Vanessa Guillen were discovered in a shallow grave near the Leon River in rural Bell County. View our online Press Pack. Authorities further confirmed that Gore actively recruited people to pick up undocumented aliens. Never publicized. What Happens To It Now? When Vanessa Guillen was a little girl, she dreamed of joining the Army, her family said. "We are at a loss for words.". She was allegedly bludgeoned to death before her body was chopped up and encased in cement. Sgt. All we get are HOLLOW statements. 22, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. "Our primary concern is for his health and well-being," the Army said in the. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Subterranean tunnelling into the mountainside continued into 1961. Last year, at least 39 Fort Hood soldiers died or went missing. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Updated on: June 3, 2016 / 10:45 PM / CBS/AP. 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. Fernandes as we work to find him," Brautigam said. 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. Wasn't that uncommon to find drug paraphernalia in equipment, dorms, work areas, etc. Not only that, since the military is not meeting it's recruitment numbers they've been forced to lower their standards on who they admit into military service. Isaiah Gore, 21, and Denerio Williams, 22, pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2021, another co-conspirator Ivory Palmer, 21, pleaded guilty Jan. 10. Results from the investigation will be released in October. 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. We need to find her and get justice," Mayra Guillen wrote. 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. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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. An attorney was not listed for her among online court records. Specialist Cole Jakob Aton was the most recent death,after he was hit by a car and died on August 12. Did you encounter any technical issues? His car was also found burned nearby. There is widespread public misunderstanding of what happens when a Soldier . It was called after the Confederate General John Bell Hood. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. 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. Updates will be provided when the investigation is complete, he added. As We Mourn The Death Of Lauren Smith-Fields, Where Is The Justice For Missing Black Women & Girls? The Commander at Fort Hood, Lt. General Pat White, will not face any administrative action. [16][17] Guilln was a small-arms repairer assigned to Support Troop, Engineer Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. Can confirm, barriers to entry are lower. [13], Vanessa Guilln, missing since 22 April 2020, Although praised by officials,[13] unique facilities like Killeen Base/West Fort Hood enables clandestine activities, as indicated by other reports as early as 1979. The family said it was foul play repeatedly. Have you had any close calls or times when you had to nope the fuck out of there? They said there was no indication of foul play. Gregory Wedel-Morales, who had been last seen Aug. 19, 2019. The base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces. "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. After Guillen's disappearance, her Army ID, bank card and two sets of keys were found by investigators inside a workshop where she worked. They are expected to spend five to 10 days on the base.[10]. "She was afraid to report it. 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. Sewell was last seen leaving her barracks around 4 p.m. (5 p.m. 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. Rule 2 does not apply when replying to this stickied comment. 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. 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. As investigators searched for Guillen's body amid her disappearance, multiple other soldiers' bodies were recovered. 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. There have been a slew of mysterious fatalities this year but how many Ford Hood soldiers have gone missing? Officials at Fort Hood, Texas, said Sunday that a soldier who had disappeared from the base was found safe with her family. **Our intentions are aimed towards a fairer, more transparent world and a better future for everyone. Attorneys Brian Bajew and Mark Hicks prosecuted the case. by: Allison . Its just nothing. You get rank reduction, removed from your leadership role, & possibly moved to another unit, said one user in response to the news. Well get to the bottom of it, and maybe things can come out that will help other people in a situation like Vanessa.. It has over 40k soldiers on post. Investigators with CID talked to two witnesses who allegedly saw Robinson on April 22 leaving his work area with a large box that appeared "very heavy in weight," and place that box in his car before driving away, according to court documents. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. Mejhor Morta, a 26-year-old Fort Hood soldier, was found dead on July 17 in a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir, government officials and local police said. "And I am really sorry that I was not able to provide them the information sufficient to reduce their suffering," Major Gen. Scott Efflandt, deputy commanding general of III Corps at Fort Hood, said at a news conference. Vanessa's older sister, 22-year-old Mayra, started an online fundraiser to cover the cost of a private investigator and an attorney. The suspects allegedly poured fresh concrete mix on the remains to create a "homemade body vault" where they then covered it in rocks, officials said. Is a lawyer and publicity to beat the army up to get answers? All of this is expected to trigger further investigations, which could lead to additional punishments for those found responsible. But their contact ended abruptly, according to his aunt. Recruiting commanders and captains bargain with their general to even out the averages so all commands make mission. Thirteen killed themselves. She said she went on base with police and found his only known car still parked there. A Lot Of People Bought Cuomosexual Merch In 2020. Official websites use .gov "We are actively searching to locate him and continue to stay in contact with his Family, friends, and law enforcement.". 2nd Class Gregory Wedel-Morales went missing in 2019 while driving in Killeen, Texas. [11] The secret project was classified as an underground weapons storage area,[12] where weapons were stored in reinforced concrete and steel bunkers. Texas Rep. Sylvia Garcia and the Guillen family met with Fort Hood leadership, who told them they suspected foul play in Vanessa's disappearance. 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]. Investigators suspect foul play, according to Houston ABC station KTRK. Human remains discovered near Fort Hood were subsequently identified as Guillen, Khawam said. Later, as local police and federal marshals closed in on Robinson, he died by suicide. 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. And in her statement, Khawam said Fernandes is the thirteenth Fort Hood soldier to have "vanished or been killed" this year. 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. He had been reported missing on Aug. 18. Guillns family has shared that Robinson also sexually harassed her. Brautigam also confirmed that Fernandes was hospitalized from Aug. 11 to Aug. 17, the day he went missing. Mejhor Morta; Pvt Gregory Scott Morales; and Francisco Gilberto Hernndez-Vargas. Upon their arrival, officers "determined that the subject had been deceased for some period of time.". 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). [12] The training in this facility is unlike any other facility. Vanessa Guillen. Guillen's suspected . [8], Wedel family said, Its frustrating that there havent been any arrests made in anything else. A search of Guillen's cellphone records, according to court documents, showed that one of the last persons she was in contact with was Aaron David Robinson. Anyone with information about where she might be is asked to contact Fort Hood Military Police. How Republicans & Democrats Weaponize Latinx Trauma to Get Votes. I'm surprised there isn't more that happens to the soldiers. 22, was charged on July 2 with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence . 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. [11], On 15 June 1963,[12] Site Baker was renamed Killeen Base and turned over to the US Army. The Army Criminal Investigation Division has yet to independently confirm the identification. Plenty, plenty, plenty of fucked up shit goes down there on the regular. And his Jeep was on fire. ** Another Fort Hood soldier, Pfc. Venessa Guillen and Aaron Robinson were co-workers, but were located in different buildings; he was not in her line of command. 2. Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. The string of deaths prompted an independent review of the climate and culture at Fort Hood, which led to the punishment of 14 senior officers. 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. They deal meth out of there to the people they want to run MKultra on. ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report. Aguilar is interviewed twice by investigators. 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. Plus family and friends and businesses and such. Fort Hood said Fernandes, a native of Brockton, Mass., was found deceased near Lake Polk in Temple, Texas, about 30 miles from the base. Guillens family met with President Donald Trump this month and he promised to deliver justice for the Army soldier who was killed in April. Rule 2 does apply throughout the rest of this thread. A suspect in the case, 20-year-old Army specialist Aaron Robinson, died by suicide as officials closed in on him. An announcement made on Tuesday details that the army base is also ordering policy changes to address consistent leadership failures that fostered serious patterns of violence including murder, sexual assaults, and harassment that have now become synonymous with the Fort Hood. Who Knew? I know that there have been shootings on Fort Hood but some people say that theres a big sex trafficking circle going on there. Fort Hood said Fernandes' disappearance sparked a thorough search in Central Texas, with members of his base scouring hospitals and hotels. on Aug. 17 and did not report to work the following day as scheduled. 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. Lock Fort Hood is shady as fuck. Aguilar then told officials that Robinson placed Guillen's body in a box, placed the box in his car and drove his car to a gas station where Aguilar worked. A locked padlock Published A FORT Hood soldier went missing on Wednesday only days after he got married - and his family claims there was foul play involved in his disappearance. Robinson had joined the Army in October 2017 and was trained as a combat engineer. While I never saw anything regarding human trafficking I am intrigued by this statement: Broadway, the post spokesman, said 74 GIs had gone absent without leave since 2020 and that 53 of them had returned to duty. The investigation began June 13, 2021. She reported it to her friends. [8] The discovery was made after U.S. Army investigators supposedly received a tip directing them to the location of the body, officials said. 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. 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. Eleven soldiers have died at the Fort Hood military base this year. 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. Army Secretary Ryan McCarty announced in June that an independent probe into the deaths would be launched. Houston, TX 77002, Houston: 713-567-9000 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. At the time, neither Robinson nor Aguilar were identified. Have a question about Government Services? Vanessa Guillen bludgeoned to death on Army base, family attorney says, Vanessa Guillen: Timeline offers look at tragedy and legacy of Ft. Specialist Guillen was reported missing from Fort Hood in April 2020, and her remains were found on June 30, 2020. Fort Hood is a United States Army post located in Killeen, Texas. Vanessa Guillen. His death followed ten other soldiers includingVanessa Guillen, whoseremains were found months after she went missing. 2300 ET . Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, died by suicide, and that a second suspect, a woman, had been arrested, identified Robinson as the deceased suspect, U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas. Then would send his little 'soldiers' in to burglarize their homes. People were showing up for P.T. [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. 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. Judge Marmolejo also emphasized that everyone involved in the scheme knew that wearing a uniform would assist in evading detection or arrest. ABC News . Aaron David Robinson, 20, African American combat engineer, went missing from his Fort Hood post on June 30. The suspect succumbed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. CID investigators interviewed the 20-year-old Robinson, who told them that the day Guillen went missing he went to the off-post residence he shared with his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, according to court documents. Murder suspect Aaron Robinson, 20, took his own life after fleeing the base. "My sister DID NOT sign up to the ARMY to be held AGAINST her will. A Texas man, Brandon Michael Olivares, was recently arrested and charged for Rosecrans' murder. 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. McCarthy has also ordered a new Army policy that will amend how officials deal with missing soldiers. All are active duty soldiers with the U.S. Army. Will It Matter To Anti-Vaxxers? The Unacknowledged special access projects around the targeted individual phenomena are originated around there as well. Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, a 1st Cavalry Division public affairs officer, told CNN in a statement that there is an "open. The U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas later identified Aguilar as Robinson's alleged accomplice. In 2016, 221 Fort Hood Soldiers went absent without leave. It was confirmed by Fort Hood, a military base in Killeen, Texas, later in the afternoon. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. She reported it to her family. It definitely seems like something is up. Then would send his little 'soldiers' in to burglarize their homes. Missing Army Sgt. Vanessa Guillen, 20, has been missing from her unit since April 22, 2020, according to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. Last month, Khawam and the Guillen family introduced the #IAmVanessaGuillen bill, which would allow active duty service members to file claims of sexual harassment and assault to an outside third party. McCarthy told reporters at the Pentagon that he was disappointed in the commanders at Fort Hood and that without leadership, systems dont matter..