A 21-year-old soldier stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, has been charged with murder in the death of a sergeant whose body was found in a dumpster on the military base after she disappeared.
Spc. Wooster Rancy, a combat engineer with the 5th Engineer Battalion, is facing charges for the murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque on October 20 and obstructing justice in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Rancy is in pretrial confinement awaiting a preliminary hearing, a Thursday news release from Fort Leonard Wood said.
Sgt. Roque, 23, was reported missing from her morning formation at Fort Leonard Wood on October 21, leading to an immediate search by her unit members. Her body was later discovered in a dumpster on the base, prompting an investigation by the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
It is unclear if there was a relationship between Rancy and Roque, and a motive in the killing has not been announced. The Fort Leonard Wood community is mourning the loss of Sgt. Roque, with Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck expressing condolences to her family, friends, and fellow soldiers.
Rancy, originally from North Miami, Florida, joined the Army in 2022 and attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood. Roque, a native of Lubbock, Texas, was a bridge crew member and mine dog handler with the K9 Detachment in the 5th Engineer Battalion.
Roque's funeral is scheduled to take place on November 2 in Indiana. She is survived by her parents and three brothers. The Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Army Service Ribbon were among the honors she received during her service.
The investigation into Sgt. Roque's death is ongoing, with the Fort Leonard Wood community coming together to support one another during this difficult time.
