‘Person of interest’ taken into custody after missing Indiana soldier found dead in Missouri

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — U.S. Army officials have taken a “person of interest” into custody after a soldier from Indiana was found dead earlier this week in Missouri. Her death has been ruled a homicide.

Sergeant Sarah Roque, 23, of Ligonier, Indiana, was reported missing on Monday morning after she did not show up for formation at Fort Leonard Wood in southern Missouri. Officials from Fort Leonard Wood confirmed Tuesday that Roque had been found dead.

On Thursday, officials from Fort Leonard Wood posted on Facebook saying that Roque’s death had been ruled a homicide. Later in the day, the U.S. Army announced that a “person of interest” had been taken into custody in connection to the Sergeant’s death.

“The incident continues to be under investigation by the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division,” FLW officials said. “Updates will be provided as they are available.”

The 23-year-old enlisted in the Army in 2020 and served as a bridge crewmember and mine dog handler for the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood. Roque had previously been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Roque was a daughter, sister, friend and Soldier, Army officials said in a Facebook post.

For more information on Roque’s death, including statements from U.S. and Army officials, click here.

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