A 21-year-old U.S. Army specialist faces murder charges after the body of Sergeant Sarah Roque, 23, was discovered in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Specialist Wooster Rancy, from North Miami, Florida, has been charged with murder and obstruction of justice in connection with Roque’s death.
Roque, a mine-detecting dog handler from Ligonier, Indiana, was reported missing on October 21, 2024, when she failed to appear for her unit’s morning formation. Her body was found hours later in a dumpster near single-soldier housing on the base.
Both service members were assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood. Rancy, a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, enlisted in 2022 and completed his basic combat training at the same base. According to military investigators, the relationship between Rancy and Roque remains unclear.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, stated in a news conference that the loss deeply shook the base community. Beck characterized Roque as a respected leader who served with integrity and dedication. He emphasized that such a tragedy is something neither the family nor the unit should ever have to face.
Roque enlisted in 2020 and accumulated several military honors, including the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. She served as both a bridge crew member and mine dog handler.
The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division leads the investigation, with support from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Military prosecutors filed charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice on Wednesday. While the case could be prosecuted in Pulaski County, where the fort is located, experts indicate this would be unusual.
The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel has emphasized there is no broader threat to base personnel or the community. Rancy remains in pretrial confinement and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.
The governor of Indiana ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Roque’s memory. The base command at Fort Leonard Wood is providing support resources to Roque’s family and unit members.
Roque is survived by her parents and three brothers. She was laid to rest in Indiana on November 2.