The Tragic Case Of Sgt. Sarah Roque: 5 Shocking Details Of The Fort Leonard Wood Missing Soldier Found Deceased

The recent tragedy at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, has sent a shockwave through the U.S. Army community, bringing to light the heartbreaking case of a missing soldier who was later found deceased. As of December 18, 2025, the full details surrounding the death of Sergeant Sarah Roque, a 23-year-old K-9 handler, have been revealed through official military charges, painting a grim picture of a life cut short on the base. The incident, which unfolded in late October 2024, has raised serious questions about safety and accountability within the military installation, and the ensuing investigation has led to a fellow soldier being charged with murder. This article provides a deep dive into the shocking events, the life of the dedicated soldier lost, and the ongoing legal proceedings that seek justice for Sgt. Roque. The sheer brutality and location of the discovery have made this one of the most high-profile and disturbing cases in the Fort Leonard Wood area in recent memory, demanding transparency and a full accounting of the facts for the public and her grieving family.

Sergeant Sarah Emily Roque: A Life of Service Cut Short

Sergeant Sarah Emily Roque was more than just a soldier; she was a dedicated member of the U.S. Army whose commitment to service was evident from her enlistment. Her sudden disappearance and the subsequent discovery of her body have left a void in her unit and her hometown community.

• Full Name: Sergeant Sarah Emily Roque
• Age: 23 years old
• Date of Birth: October 12, 2001
• Hometown: Ligonier, Indiana
• Place of Birth: Lubbock, Texas
• Education: Graduated from West Noble High School in 2020.
• Enlistment: Enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2020.
• Initial Training: Attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
• Unit: 50th Multirole Bridge Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood.
• Role: Served as a bridge crewmember, boat operator, and was a dedicated mine-dog handler (K-9 handler).
• Date of Death: October 20, 2024 (as per official charges).

Sgt. Roque's service record included time as a bridge crew member and boat operator before transitioning to her role as a K-9 handler, a position that speaks to her dedication and specialized skill set within the 5th Engineer Battalion. She was a respected figure, and her failure to report for duty immediately triggered alarm bells among her peers and commanders.

Timeline of a Tragedy: From Missing Person to Homicide Investigation

The events surrounding Sgt. Roque's death unfolded rapidly, moving from a missing person search to a full-scale homicide investigation by the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). The timeline of the incident is crucial to understanding the gravity of the situation at the Missouri base.

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October 21, 2024: Reported Missing

Sgt. Sarah Roque failed to report for formation on the morning of Monday, October 21, 2024. Her absence immediately prompted concern, and Fort Leonard Wood authorities quickly initiated a search and requested the public's assistance in locating her. The initial search effort involved military police and other personnel across the sprawling installation.

October 22, 2024: Body Discovered

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Tragically, the search ended just one day later. On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Sgt. Roque's body was discovered. The location of the discovery was particularly shocking: a dumpster near the living quarters for single soldiers on the base. Fort Leonard Wood officials announced the grim news with "heavy hearts," confirming that the missing soldier had been found deceased. Due to the circumstances, the case was immediately classified as a potential homicide, and the Army CID took the lead in the investigation.

The Shocking Location of Discovery

The discovery of a soldier's body in a dumpster on a secure military installation is an extremely rare and disturbing event. This detail immediately intensified the investigation, pointing toward foul play and suggesting an effort to conceal the crime. The area of the discovery, the single soldiers' quarters, became the focal point of the crime scene investigation, leading to the rapid identification of a suspect.

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The Accused: Court-Martial and Charges Against a Fellow Soldier

Within days of the discovery, the investigation zeroed in on a suspect who was a fellow member of the 5th Engineer Battalion. The subsequent charges have brought a degree of closure regarding who is responsible, but the legal battle for justice is far from over.

Spc. Wooster Rancy Charged with Murder

The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) formally charged Spc. Wooster Rancy, a 21-year-old combat engineer, with the murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque. Spc. Rancy was a fellow soldier in the 5th Engineer Battalion, a fact that only deepened the sense of betrayal and tragedy within the unit.

The formal charges against Spc. Rancy include:

• Murder: Accused of causing the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque on or about October 20, 2024.
• Obstruction of Justice: Accused of taking steps to conceal the crime, which aligns with the body being found in a dumpster.

The charges indicate that the military believes the crime occurred before she was reported missing. Spc. Rancy was detained and is facing a military court-martial, the highest judicial forum for U.S. service members. The military justice system is now tasked with establishing guilt and delivering a verdict in this high-stakes case.

The Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Spc. Rancy has pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder and obstruction of justice. The court-martial process is highly scrutinized by the public and military families, especially in cases involving the death of a soldier on base. The trial will involve presenting evidence gathered by the Army CID, including forensic evidence from the scene and any witness testimonies. The outcome of the court-martial is a priority for both Fort Leonard Wood leadership and the Army to ensure that justice is served and to restore confidence in the safety of its personnel.

Topical Authority: Fort Leonard Wood and Military Accountability

The death of Sgt. Roque has reignited discussions about the culture of safety and accountability at major military installations like Fort Leonard Wood. This training installation, known primarily for its Engineer, Chemical, and Military Police schools, is a massive, complex environment, and the security breach represented by a homicide on base is a significant concern.

The case draws parallels to other high-profile incidents at other bases, where the deaths of service members have led to calls for sweeping reforms in how the military handles missing persons, sexual assault, and internal investigations. The military's response to this tragedy—the immediate investigation, the swift charging of a suspect, and the public disclosure of details—is a critical test of its commitment to transparency and justice.

The involvement of the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) is notable. The OSTC was established to handle serious offenses like murder and sexual assault, removing the charging authority from the local command structure to ensure independent prosecution. This new process is intended to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure a fair and impartial legal proceeding for both the victim and the accused. The pursuit of a court-martial for Spc. Rancy under the OSTC's purview demonstrates the Army's commitment to a thorough and independent review of the facts.

The legacy of Sergeant Sarah Roque will now be intertwined with the ongoing efforts to improve soldier safety and accountability across the U.S. Army. Her story serves as a tragic reminder that the greatest dangers to service members can sometimes come from within the very ranks they serve alongside.