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Soldier charged with murder in death of sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri

Michelle Obama
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FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — A soldier has been charged with murder in the death of a fellow service member at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, the Army announced Thursday.

The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel charged the 21-year-old specialist on Wednesday with murder and obstructing justice in the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23. Roque — who was from Ligonier, Indiana, and worked as a mine-detecting dog handler — was reported missing Oct. 20. Her body was discovered in a trash bin on the base two days later.

Fort Leonard Wood officials said last week that they were investigating Roque's death as a homicide and that they had taken a person of interest into custody last Thursday. Officials also stressed that there was no broader threat to base personnel or the community.

But Army investigators have released few other details about what happened, including the cause of Roque’s death or a possible motive.

Roque enlisted in 2020. Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. She was a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion and enlisted in 2020.

If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.

Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.