+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Remains of missing Texas soldier Vanessa Guillen have been identified, family lawyer says

Jul 6, 2020, 15:30 IST
Business Insider
US Army
  • The remains of Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old soldier who went missing over two months ago, have been identified, an attorney for Guillen's family told the Associated Press.
  • Human remains were found last week near the Fort Hood Army base in Texas, where Guillen disappeared April 22.
  • According to Army investigators, one military suspect killed himself Tuesday after investigators tried to make contact with him in relation to Guillen's disappearance.
  • According to the AP, a criminal complaint released Thursday by the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas says a civilian, Cecily Aguilar, has been arrested and charged with helping hide Guillen's body.
Advertisement

The remains of Pvt. 1st Class Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old soldier who went missing over two months ago, have been identified, according to a family representative.

Natalie Khawam, an attorney for Guillen's family, told the Associated Press on Sunday that remains found last week near the Fort Hood Army base in Texas belonged to Guillen. Her family also confirmed the news to The Washington Post.

Khawam told the AP that Army investigators used DNA from hair and bone samples to identify Guillen's remains.

According to the Army Criminal Investigation Command, Guillen was last seen on the morning of April 22 at Fort Hood. Her car keys, room keys, ID, and wallet were found in the armory room where she was working earlier in the day. The Army was offering $25,000 for information regarding her disappearance.

Khawam had said in a press release Tuesday that the Army suspected "foul play" in her disappearance.

Advertisement

"We believe her disappearance is related to Vanessa's disclosing to her mother & friends that she was sexually harassed by her sergeants at Ford Hood," Khawam wrote.

On Sunday, Khawam told the AP that military sexual harassment was an "epidemic."

"You can't turn a blind eye anymore," she told the outlet.

Army investigators with the Criminal Investigation Command said one military suspect killed himself Tuesday after investigators tried to make contact with him in relation to Guillen's disappearance. Khawam told the Army Times last week that the man — identified as Spc. Aaron Robinson — used a hammer to attack Guillen, causing "her blood to be splashed all over the armory room."

Khawam told Army Times that Robinson enlisted the help of his married girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, to dismember and bury Guillen's body. Khawam described the incident as a "heinous" act of murder.

Advertisement

According to the AP, a criminal complaint released Thursday by the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas said Aguilar was arrested and charged with helping hide Guillen's body.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Rep. Jackie Speier of California said in a joint statement Thursday that they were "deeply saddened" by the developments in the case and called for a "thorough investigation by the Department of Defense Inspector General" into the handling of the case.

"SPC Guillen's disappearance raises deep, troubling concerns about the Army's ability to prevent sexual harassment and assault, respond to criminal acts, and provide justice for victims and their families," the lawmakers wrote.

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article