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US Army Specialist Arrested for Killing of Sgt. Sarah Roque at the Missouri base

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

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A U.S. Army specialist from Florida is charged with the murder 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 of 23-year-old Sgt. Fort Leonard Wood military base Sarah Roque officials said in a news release Thursday.

In addition to the Oct. 20 murder, Rancy is also charged with obstruction of justice and is being held pending a preliminary hearing, the release said.

It's unclear whether Rancy has hired an attorney.

What happened to Sarah Roque?

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

During a news conference last week, Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck said Roque's body was found in a dumpster on the base next to soldiers' quarters. Officials have not released any further details about how she was killed other than to say it was a homicide.

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

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

“Sergeant Roque was a daughter, sister, friend and soldier who chose to serve our country courageously and honorably,” Beck continued. “Her death has left a tremendous void within our team, and while there are no words that can ease the pain, we continue 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 enlisted in the Army in 2022 and completed basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood.

The relationship between Rancy and Roque is unclear, except that both are members of the Fifth Engineer Battalion.

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