The body of a missing U.S. Army sergeant was found in a dumpster this week on a Missouri military base and a person of interest has been arrested in connection to her killing, officials said.
Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23, was reported missing Monday after she failed to show up for duty at Fort Leonard Wood, the miltary wrote in a press release. The base is about 80 miles south of Jefferson City, the state’s capital.
During a press conference Thursday, Maj. General Christopher Beck said Roque’s body was found in a dumpster on the base next to soldier housing.
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Roque’s death is being investigated as a homicide
Officials have not released how Roque was killed but said her death was being investigated as a homicide by the Army Criminal Investigation.
As of Friday, investigators had not released the identity of the person taken into custody, said what they are charged with or said whether they are a civilian.
It was not immediately known if Roque was single at the time of her death.
“As a commander and a leader, this is a tragedy,” Beck said. “This is something that we never want to happen, we never want for the family to have to endure, or for the unit to have to endure.”
Who was U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Roque?
A bridge crewmember, Roque served as a mine dog handler with the K9 Detachment in the Fifth Engineer Battalion.
Roque was from Ligonier, Indiana, a city in Perry Township about 40 miles northwest of Fort Wayne. She enlisted in the Army in 2020 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood.
Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
Army asked to give soldier’s family privacy
“The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood team is deeply saddened by this devastating loss, and we send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Sergeant Roque,” Beck said in a statement released Tuesday.
“Roque was a daughter, sister, friend and soldier who chose to serve our country bravely and honorably. Her passing has caused a tremendous void throughout our team, and while there are no words to ease the pain, we continue to provide care, resources and support to those who are affected during this difficult time.”
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the victim’s name.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fort Leonard Wood solider Sarah Roque found dead in dumpster
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