The death of a soldier at a military base in Missouri is being investigated as murder

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Missouri — A person of interest is in custody in connection with the death of a soldier stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in southern Missouri, authorities said.

The body of Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23, of Ligonier, Indiana, was found in a trash can Tuesday. She had been reported missing a day earlier. No cause of death was announced, but the Army Criminal Investigation Division said Friday that the death was being investigated as a homicide.

Roque was a mine dog handler and a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion. She reported in 2020.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, commanding general at Fort Leonard Wood, said in a statement that Roque's death had caused “an enormous void” at the Army base.

Army officials did not release any further information about the detained person or a possible motive.