Soldier's death at Missouri Army base under investigation as homicide

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (AP) — A person of interest is in custody in connection with the death of a soldier stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in south-central Missouri, authorities said.

Corps Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23, of Ligonier, Indiana, was found in a trash can on Tuesday. She had been reported missing a day earlier. No cause of death has been released, but the Army Department of Criminal Investigation said Friday that the death is being investigated as a homicide.

Roque was a mine dog handler and a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion. Enlisted in 2020.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, commanding general at Fort Leonard Wood, said in a statement that Roque’s death “caused a tremendous void” at the Army base.

Army officials did not provide other information about the person in custody or a potential motive.