US Army Specialist Detained for the Murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque at the Missouri base

Specialist Wooster Rancy, 21, is being held on murder charges in the death of 23-year-old Sgt. Sarah Roque after her body was found in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood military base last week

A U.S. Army specialist from Florida is facing a murder charge in the death of a missing 23-year-old sergeant from Indiana whose body was found last week in a dumpster at a military base in Missouri

Specialist Wooster Rancy, 21, of the Fifth Engineer Battalion, was held in connection with the murder The 23-year-old Sgt. Sara Roqueofficials at Fort Leonard Wood military base said in a press release on Thursday.

In addition to the Oct. 20 murder, Rancy also faces a charge of obstruction of justice and was held in custody pending a preliminary hearing, the release said.

It is unclear whether Rancy has been assigned an attorney.

What happened to Sarah Roque?

Roque was reported missing on October 21 after he failed to show up for duty at Fort Leonard Wood military base wrote in an Oct. 22 news release. The base is located about 80 miles south of Jefferson City, the state capital.

At a news conference last week, Major General Christopher Beck said Roque’s body was found in a dumpster on the base next to the soldiers’ housing. Officials have not released any further details about how she was killed, other than to say it was a homicide.

Roque, from Ligonier, Indiana, was a bridge crew member who served as a mine dog handler with the K9 Detachment in the Fifth Engineer Battalion. She enlisted in 2020 and underwent basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, the base said. Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

“The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and the Fort Leonard Wood team are deeply saddened by this devastating loss, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow Soldiers of Sergeant Roque,” said Beck, commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood.

“Sergeant Roque was a daughter, sister, friend and soldier who chose to serve our country with courage and honor,” Beck continued. “Her passing has left a tremendous void in our team, and while there are no words to ease the pain, we have continued to provide care, resources and support to those affected during this difficult time.”

Who is Wooster Rancy?

Rancy is originally from North Miami, Florida, and serves as a combat engineer for the Fifth Engineer Battalion. He joined the Army in 2022 and completed basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood.

The relationship between Rancy and Roque is unclear, other than the fact that they were both in the Fifth Engineer Battalion.