A 21-year-old Army specialist, Wooster Rancy, originally from North Miami, Florida, is facing murder and obstruction of justice charges in connection to the death of 23-year-old Sergeant Sarah Roque. Her body was found in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Rancy and Roque were both stationed at the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood. Rancy, a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, enlisted in 2022 and completed his basic combat training at the same base. The nature of the relationship between the two soldiers is still under investigation by military authorities.

Roque, a native of Ligonier, Indiana, was a mine-detecting dog handler. She was reported missing on October 21, 2024, after failing to show up for her unit’s morning formation. Her body was later discovered in a dumpster near a single-soldier housing area on the base.

During a news conference, Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, the commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, expressed that Roque’s death has deeply affected the base community. He described Roque as a respected leader who served with integrity and dedication, stating that such a tragic event is something her family and unit should never have to experience.

Roque, who enlisted in 2020, had earned a number of military recognitions, such as the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. In addition to being a mine dog handler, she also served as a bridge crew member.

The investigation into Roque’s death is being led by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, with support from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Military prosecutors filed charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice on Wednesday. Although the case could potentially be prosecuted in Pulaski County, Missouri, where the fort is located, such a scenario is considered unusual by legal experts.

The Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel has made it clear that there is no wider threat to the personnel at the base or the surrounding community. Rancy is currently held in pretrial confinement and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

In honor of Sergeant Roque, the governor of Indiana has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. The command at Fort Leonard Wood is providing support to Roque’s family and her unit members.

Survived by her parents and three brothers, Roque was laid to rest in Indiana on November 2.