FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — A 21-year-old Army Specialist has been charged in the death of an Army sergeant who was found dead inside a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
According to an update from the U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood. Spc. Wooster Rancy, with the 5th Engineer Battalion, was charged Wednesday in relation to the murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque and with obstructing justice.
Last week, Major General Christopher Beck said investigators had identified a person of interest in the death of Roque, a 23-year-old Indiana native. They were taken into custody that afternoon.
Beck said last week that Roque was reported missing on Oct. 20 when she did not report for her unit's morning formation. Military Police Investigations issued a "Be on the Lookout" or BOLO advisory that evening. After a search by the Army and nearby law enforcement personnel, her body was located inside a dumpster near the single soldiers' quarters at Fort Leonard Wood.
Roque, of Ligonier, Indiana, enlisted in 2020 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood.
She was a bridge crew member, serving as a Mine Dog Handler with the K9 Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, the Army said in a press release.
Roque’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
Rancy is being held in pretrial confinement, according to the update.
He is originally from North Miami, Florida, and serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. He enlisted in 2022 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, a news release said.
