The death of a U.S. Army soldier at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri is now being investigated as a homicide after the body of 23-year-old Sgt. Sarah Roque was found in a dumpster on base, according to Army officials. A person of interest has been taken into custody, Fort Leonard Wood said in a news release Thursday afternoon.
The Army's Criminal Investigation Division is investigating Roque's death as a possible homicide with the help of the FBI, Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, the commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood, said during a Thursday morning press briefing. Roque's body was found in a dumpster near housing for single soldiers, Beck said.
Officials declined to provide further information about the person of interest Thursday morning, citing the ongoing investigation. The Army has brought in additional personnel to help with the investigation, including forensic technicians.Â
Roque's unit is continuing to train, Beck said, but anybody related to the incident is "secured." Law enforcement is confident there is no active threat to the base or community, Special Agent in Charge John McCabe of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Midcentral Field Office said Thursday morning.
"The Fort Leonard Wood community is devastated by this tragic loss," Beck said. "[Sarah was] described by her peers as tough and proud of everything she did, and proud to serve our country, which she did with honor and distinction."
Roque served as a mine dog handler with the Fifth Engineer Battalion's K9 Detachment, according to a Fort Leonard Wood Facebook post. Roque was from Ligonier, Indiana and enlisted in 2020. She attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood.
She received multiple awards and decorations, according to the Facebook post, including the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
On Monday, Roque's unit reported her missing after she didn't show up for morning formation, Beck said. Within three hours of being reported missing, Fort Leonard Wood's Department of Emergency Services issued a missing persons alert.Â
The department then reached out to the Army's Criminal Investigation Division for assistance. Fort Leonard Wood announced Roque was found deceased in a Tuesday Facebook post.
The City of Ligonier, Indiana, where Roque was from, announced a proclamation of recognition in her honor Thursday evening. The proclamation asked for flags to be flown at half-staff until her burial
On Tuesday, Missouri Rep. Mark Alford issued a statement offering condolences after Roque's death. Alford is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
"We send our deep condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Sergeant Sarah Roque and the entire Fort Leonard Wood community," Alford said. "We mourn with all those affected by this tragedy and we stand alongside them during this horrible time."
This investigation is ongoing.
