Army specialist charged in female soldier’s murder at Missouri base

An Army specialist is facing charges in connection with the murder of a fellow soldier. Investigators accused Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, of murdering Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23. 

Roque was reported missing on Monday, Oct. 21 after she failed to show up for her unit’s morning formation. Her body was found in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri later that day.

Rancy is also charged with obstruction. It is unclear if Rancy and Roque knew each other.

The Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division, which is the primary federal law enforcement agency of the United States Army, is overseeing the probe. The department has not specified a motive for the killing.

Roque, of Ligonier, Indiana enlisted in 2020, and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, the Army said. She was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Roque was a bridge crewmember, serving as a Mine Dog Handler with the K9 Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Engineer Battalion.

Rancy is from North Miami, Florida, and serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. He joined the Army in 2022 and also attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood.

He is currently in pretrial confinement as he awaits a preliminary hearing, officials said.