A U.S. Army sergeant who was reported missing after she did not show up for duty on Monday, Oct. 21, in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. was found dead, officials said on Tuesday, Oct. 22. A person of interest is in custody in connection with her death.
Sgt. Sarah Roque was found dead in a dumpster on Monday evening, U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood officials confirmed in a press release.
Fort Leonard Wood officials later announced on Thursday, Oct. 24 that “a person of interest has been taken into custody in relation” to the 23-year-old’s death.
The Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division, FBI and other law enforcement agencies are now investigating Roque’s death as a homicide, Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, said during a press conference Thursday, per ABC News.
“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.”
Sgt. Sarah Roque.
U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood/Facebook
“The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood team is deeply saddened by this devastating loss, and we send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow Soldiers of Sergeant Roque,” Beck said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Sergeant Roque was a daughter, sister, friend and Soldier who chose to serve our country bravely and honorably,” Beck continued. “Her passing has caused a tremendous void throughout our team, and while there are no words to ease the pain, we continue to provide care, resources and support to those who are affected during this difficult time.”
Roque was from Ligonier, Ind., and later moved to Fort Leonard Wood, where she completed Basic Combat Training. The central Missouri military training installation trains nearly 80,000 people every year.
Roque was a bridge crewmember and a mine dog handler with the K9 detachment in the Fifth Engineer Battalion, according to Army officials. Since enlisting in 2020, she received several awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
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A representative for the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Thursday.
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