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A soldier stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque, whose body was found in a dumpster at the base. Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, of the 5th Engineer Battalion, is also charged with obstructing justice, according to an announcement by the Army on Thursday.
Roque, 23, was reported missing on October 21 after failing to show up for her unit’s morning formation. Her body was found hours later. The cause of death has not been disclosed. The relationship between Rancy and Roque, if any, remains unclear, though officials confirmed that the two were in the same battalion.
Rancy, a native of Miami, Florida, joined the Army in 2022 and is a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. He is currently in pretrial confinement, awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Roque, a native of Ligonier, Indiana, enlisted in the Army in 2020. She was a bridge crewmember and mine dog handler with the K9 detachment of the 5th Engineer Battalion. Roque was decorated with the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
Major General Christopher Beck, commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, described Roque as a leader who served with “honor and distinction.” He also stated that the community at the base was “devastated” by her death.
The case remains under investigation.