A U.S. Army Specialist, Wooster Rancy, 21, from North Miami, Florida, has been accused of murder following the discovery of 23-year-old Sergeant Sarah Roque’s body in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Rancy is facing charges of murder and obstruction of justice related to the death of Roque. The details surrounding the relationship between Rancy and Roque are still under investigation by military officials.
Roque, originally from Ligonier, Indiana, was a mine-detecting dog handler, reported missing on October 21, 2024, after her absence from the morning roll call of her unit. Her body was discovered later that day in a dumpster close to the single-soldier housing on the base.
Both Roque and Rancy were assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood. Rancy, a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, enlisted in 2022 and underwent his basic combat training at this same base.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, the commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, at a news conference, expressed that the base community is deeply saddened by the loss. Beck praised Roque as a respected leader who served with integrity and dedication, and mentioned that such unfortunate incidents should never be encountered by any family or unit.
Roque started her service in 2020 and was a recipient of multiple military honors, including the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. Her roles included being a bridge crew member and a mine dog handler.
The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, along with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, is leading the investigation. Charges were filed under the Uniform Code of Military Justice on Wednesday. Although the case could be tried in Pulaski County, where the fort is situated, experts suggest this would be an unusual course of action.
The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel has reassured that there is no wider threat to base personnel or the local community. Rancy is currently in pretrial confinement and awaits a preliminary hearing.
In honor of Roque’s memory, the governor of Indiana ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. The base command at Fort Leonard Wood is providing support resources to Roque’s family and colleagues in her unit.
Roque leaves behind her parents and three brothers. Her funeral took place in Indiana on November 2.