Arrested for the alleged murder of a female soldier at a military base

An army specialist has been charged with the murder of a fellow soldier whose body was found at an army base last week.

Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, is accused of murdering Sarah Roque, a 23-year-old sergeant, officials said Thursday.

Last week, Roque was found dead in a dumpster at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Officials said Rancy also faces charges of obstruction of justice. He is currently in custody pending a preliminary hearing.

Rancy, a combat engineer, is originally from Miami and joined the Army in 2022, officials said.

It is not yet clear what led to Rancy's arrest or what the motive was for the killing.

Roque, of Ligonier, Indiana, was reported missing after failing to report for duty last week.

In a news conference after her body was found, Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck said her death was being investigated as a murder.

“As a commander and leader, this is a tragedy,” Beck said. “This is something we never want, we never want the family or the unit to have to endure something like this.”

Roque served as a mine dog handler, officials said. Since enlisting in 2020, she has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

“Sarah not only served our country bravely and honorably as a soldier, she was also a daughter, a sister and a friend to many,” Beck said.