Fort Leonard Wood, MO – A 21-year-old soldier has been arrested and charged with the murder of Sgt. Sarah Roque, whose body was discovered in a dumpster at the military base in Missouri, sparking a profound shock among the community and her colleagues. The young sergeant had been missing since failing to appear at a routine morning formation on October 21.
Spc. Wooster Rancy, a combat engineer in the 5th Engineer Battalion, faces charges of murder and obstructing justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. According to a statement from Fort Leonard Wood, where both the accused and the victim served, Rancy is currently in pretrial confinement as he awaits a preliminary hearing. The details regarding legal representation for Rancy were not immediately clear.
The discovery of Roque’s body concluded a frantic search initiated by her unit when she uncharacteristically missed her morning check-in. Fort Leonard Wood, located approximately 140 miles southwest of St. Louis, involved its emergency services and local law enforcement in the search efforts.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, the base’s commanding officer, announced the distressing find during a press conference, revealing that Sgt. Roque’s body was discovered on the evening of October 21. Beck expressed his profound condolences and said, “Unfortunately, the outcome of our efforts was one that we had all hoped and prayed would not happen.”
The Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is leading the ongoing investigation into the death of Sgt. Roque. At this stage, it remains unclear if there was any known relationship or direct motive linking Rancy to Roque’s murder.
Roque, 23, originally from Lubbock, Texas, was noted for her roles as a bridge crew member and a mine dog handler with the K9 Detachment in her battalion. She enlisted in 2020, receiving basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood – the same location where Rancy would later undergo his initial Army training in 2022.
Throughout her service, Roque earned several decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon, underscoring her commitment and contributions to her duties.
The loss of Sgt. Roque has resonated deeply within the military community. A recent release mourned her as a valued daughter, sister, friend, and soldier, saying, “Her death caused a tremendous void throughout our team.” Roque’s funeral service is scheduled for November 2 in Indiana. She is survived by her parents and three brothers.
As the Fort Leonard Wood community reels from this tragedy, Maj. Gen. Beck emphasized the need for support during this time. “As our team continues to mourn, please know that our focus remains on providing the care, support, and resources needed,” he affirmed, highlighting the base’s commitment to aiding those affected by the incident.
This case not only underscores the challenges within military communities when faced with such internal tragedies but also prompts a discussion on the support systems necessary for preventing and responding to such crises.