Soldier Charged in Death of Sgt. Sarah Roque

Specialist Wooster Rancy, a U.S. Army soldier, has been charged with the murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque.

At a Glance

A 21-year-old soldier was charged with murder and obstruction of justice at Fort Leonard Wood.
Sgt. Sarah Roque was found dead in a dumpster near military housing after being reported missing.
Both soldiers served in the 509th Engineer Company, and Rancy was taken into custody days after Roque’s disappearance.
Sgt. Roque’s military service was honored with several awards.

Background

A 21-year-old U.S. Army soldier, Specialist Wooster Rancy, is now facing murder and obstruction of justice charges following the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Sgt. Roque, who was just 23 years old, was reported missing when she failed to appear for duty on October 21. Tragically, her body was discovered later that evening in a dumpster near her military housing.

Rancy and Roque served together in the 509th Engineer Company, part of the Fifth Engineer Battalion. Prosecutors allege that Sgt. Roque was killed on October 20, though the specific cause of her death remains undisclosed as of now. Rancy, who enlisted in 2022, was apprehended by his battalion commander on October 24 and is currently held at the Midwest Joint Regional Confinement Facility located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

The Army has charged a soldier with the murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque, who was found dead at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri last week. https://t.co/FOAAxjzjs8

— Task & Purpose (@TaskandPurpose) November 1, 2024

Charges and Investigation

Charges against Specialist Rancy were officially filed on October 30 under Articles 118 and 131b, relating to murder and obstructing justice within the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate this case as Rancy awaits a preliminary court martial hearing. Sgt. Roque’s commitment to her service is remembered through her roles as a bridge crew member and mine dog handler, earning her numerous military honors, including the Army Commendation Medal.

Sgt. Sarah Roque was born in Lubbock, Texas. She re-enlisted in the Army to work as a mine detection dog handler. Her family, including her parents, three brothers, and a grandmother, are mourning her loss. Sgt. Roque’s body was respectfully returned to Indianapolis for burial in Ligonier, Noble County, Indiana. Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, leading the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, extended condolences, acknowledging Sgt. Roque as a committed daughter, sister, and soldier.

Military and Public Response

The Army community, along with the 5th Engineer Battalion, has expressed deep sadness and support for Sgt. Roque’s family. During an upcoming news conference scheduled for Friday morning, further details may emerge, potentially shedding light on both the circumstances around Roque’s death and the broader implications for Fort Leonard Wood’s military personnel. Sgt. Roque’s dedication and the honors she received underscore the significant loss felt across the Army family.

“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 Sgt. Roque,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general.

As the Army and local community come to terms with this tragic event, the efforts of investigators continue to provide answers, while support remains extended to all those affected by Sgt. Roque’s passing. The future court proceedings are awaited, with expectations for clarity and justice to manage the loss of an honorable soldier.