Army specialist accused of murdering female soldier found dead on Army base

An Army specialist is accused of killing a fellow soldier who was found dead on an Army base last week, officials said.

Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, is being held in connection with the murder of Sarah Roque, a 23-year-old sergeant, officials said Thursday.

Roque was found dead in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri last week.

Rancy faces murder and obstruction of justice charges, officials said. He is currently in pretrial confinement ahead of a preliminary hearing.

Rancy and Roque were in the same battalion, according to Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck.

"As far as other interactions, that is part of the investigation, so that will continue to develop over time," Beck said during a press briefing on Friday.

Officials have not said what led them to Rancy or an alleged motive in the killing.

A combat engineer, Rancy is originally from Miami and joined the Army in 2022, officials said.

Roque, of Ligonier, Indiana, was reported missing after she failed to report for duty last week.

In a press conference after her body was found, Beck said her death was being investigated as a homicide.

"As a commander and a leader, this is a tragedy," Beck said. "This is something that we never want to happen, we never want for the family to have to endure, or for the unit to have to endure."

Roque served as a mine dog handler, officials said. Since she enlisted in 2020, she was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

"Sarah not only served our country bravely and honorably as a soldier, she was also a daughter, a sister and a friend to many," Beck said.