Soldier charged with murder in sergeant's death in Missouri

A soldier was charged with murder in death of a fellow soldier at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, the Army announced Thursday.

The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel has charged the 21-year-old SPC. Wooster Rancy on Wednesday on murder and obstruction of justice charges in the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23. Roque – who was from Ligonier, Indiana, and worked as a mine detection dog handler – was reported missing on Oct. 20. Two days later, her body was discovered in a trash can on base.

Fort Leonard Wood officials said last week that they were investigating Roque's death as a homicide and that they had taken a person of interest into custody last Thursday. Officials also stressed that there is no broader threat to base personnel or the community.

But Army investigators have released few other details about the incident, including the cause of Roque's death or a possible motive.

Officials said the suspect is from North Miami, Florida, and joined the Army in 2022. He serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, and conducted basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood. He is in custody awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Roque entered the service in 2020. Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. She was a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion and enlisted in 2020.