On the evening of Oct. 21, the body of Sergeant Sarah Roque, 23, was found in a dumpster adjacent to single soldiers’ quarters at Fort Leonard Wood, according to information released during a press conference 11 a.m. Thursday.
An unnamed person of interest has now been taken into custody according to a press release later Thursday afternoon by Fort Leonard Wood officials.
Circumstances surrounding Sergeant Roque’s death are currently under investigation by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and CID Special Agent John McCabe confirmed there was a person of interest during the earlier press conference, but no one had been charged or taken into custody at that time.
Officials could not confirm the cause of death pending autopsy results.
Beck reiterated there is no immediate danger to the public and there is accountability of all personnel.
“I can say without a doubt, Sarah’s command team and the unit, as well as the rest of our team, used every resource available to locate Sarah,” Beck said. “I commend the professionalism of the military and civilian workforce for their efforts and their ability to take appropriate action. Unfortunately, the outcome of our efforts was one that we had all hoped and prayed would not happen. . . later that evening, Sarah's body was discovered.”
Sergeant Roque, of Ligonier, Indiana, is a bridge crewmember, serving as a Mine Dog Handler with the K9 Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. She enlisted in 2020 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood.
Beck said on the morning of Oct. 21 Roque was not present for her unit's morning formation.
“Her unit immediately started searching for her and notified the Fort Leonard Wood director of emergency services and local law enforcement,” Beck said. “Within three hours of Sarah being reported missing by her unit the Fort Leonard Wood Department of Emergency Services issued a be on the lookout or bolo report in the National Crime Information Center database that notified all law enforcement agencies across the nation of the missing person. They also provided reports in the Army's law enforcement reporting and tracking system.
Beck said the emergency services then reached out to the Army Criminal Investigation Division for assistance.
That afternoon, the installation crisis action team asked for the public's help in locating the missing soldier.
“On behalf of Fort Leonard Wood and the entire United States Army, we are deeply saddened by this devastating loss,” Beck said. “We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Sergeant Sarah Roque. Sarah not only served our country bravely and honorably as a soldier, but she was also a daughter, a sister and a friend to many. The investigation remains a top priority for Fort Leonard Wood and all agencies are cooperating to ensure the investigation is thorough and complete. I'd like to reiterate that there is no immediate threat to the community at this time, Fort Leonard Wood remains a safe place to live and work. My commitment, our commitment, we will remain transparent moving forward while respecting the family's privacy.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala also spoke and said the unit continues to train and deliver its mission.
Sergeant Roque’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
“Sarah was a soldier and a leader in the fifth Engineer Battalion, 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,” Beck said. “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 and we remain in constant communication with the family, with the effort put forth the past few days.”
Beck thanked all involved in the ongoing investigation.
“I want to acknowledge the professional leadership of the unit, the Fort Leonard Wood team and the Army Criminal Investigation Division, as well as everyone who has worked tirelessly to respond quickly and appropriately to this tragedy,” he said.
Beck and McCabe said the CID is working closely with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
“We’ll continue to provide information to our community as it becomes available,” Beck said.
“This is a tragedy. This is something that we never want to happen. We never want for the family to have to endure the unit to have to endure.”
McCabe encourages those with any information to submit a tip to www.army.cid.com.
