[18] On June13, 2020, hundreds of people assembled at the gates of Fort Hood to protest what organizers felt was a lack of information on the case. She is buried at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home in southeast Houston, Texas, according to ABC 13. She was laid to rest in a private funeral in August of 2021, following a massive public service at her Houston high school the day before. .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}Netflixs newest doc, I Am Vanessa Guillen, tells the story of a young woman serving in the Army who mysteriously disappeared from her base. Vanessa Guilln disappeared from Fort Hood last April. I asked Aguilar to start the story over and tell the truth this time. Aguilar had first claimed she was at home with Robinson the night of Guillen's disappearance but allegedly confessed to her part when the body was discovered. Philipps, Dave (April 30, 2021) Military Missteps Allowed Soldier Accused of Murder to Flee, Report Says. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. So keep reading this article to know How Did Vanessa Guillen Die. Aguilar was married to another soldier. He lived off-post with Aguilar. Before Guilln went missing, she had told her family that she was being sexually harassed by an unnamed sergeant at Fort Hood,[15] and that complaints by other female soldiers made against the sergeant had been dismissed. Robinson said he remained home the rest of the evening except for a brief trip to the base around 6:30 p.m. to use a government computer to sign up for some training. How Did Vanessa Guillen Die: Does Aaron Robinson Killed Her? The Army suspended Major General Jeffery Broadwater and Command Sergeant Major Thomas C. Kenny, pending the outcome of a new investigation into the 1st Cavalry Division's command climate and program for preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault. Disciplinary measures were also taken against soldiers and leaders assigned below brigade level, however the Army does not, as a matter of policy, "release the names of the battalion level and below commanders and leaders who received administrative action. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Vanessas bones, hair, and other remains were found at the end of June, according to The Times. A memorial to Army Spc. What are your views on this article? Her dismembered remains were found months later near the Leon River in Bell County, roughly 20 miles east of Fort Hood. On the day Guilln's remains were discovered, Aguilar was interviewed again by the authorities. Court documents filed on May 19 by Texas officials revealed a potential motive in the 2020 murder ofArmy Spc. He said investigators had conducted more than 300 interviews in the case. On July 2, a charge was brought against another soldier at Fort Hood, Aaron Vanessa Guillen, at Fort Hood in Texas. "I have determined the issues at Fort Hood are directly related to leadership failures," McCarthy said in announcing the firings at a Pentagon press conference. Guillens body was transported from the military installation by her killer, attorney Natalie Khawam told CNN, citing details the family learned during a meeting with Army investigators on Wednesday night. On the evening of June 30, Robinson escaped the custody of an unarmed guard from his unit and traveled six miles from his base. Aguilar pleaded not guilty on all counts, and her trial begins on Jan. 3, 2023, per KHOU11. The murder of Vanessa Guilln, a 20-year-old United States Army soldier, took place inside an armory at Fort Hood, Texas, on April 22, 2020, when she was bludgeoned to death by another soldier, Aaron David Robinson. Guilln had been missing for over two months when some of her dismembered remains were found buried along the Leon River on June 30. Her murder also led to calls for change in how the military handles reports of sexual harassment and assault. [49]. Vanessa should be here today, defending her loved ones and her country.. The Guillen familys lawyer, Natalie Khawam, told Army Times that she was sickened with Aguilars frivolous filings, but that she didnt believe Aguilar would be successful in her attempts to get the evidence against her thrown out. He had left his Fort Hood post. Robinson died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound when approached by law enforcement on July 1, 2020, according to police in Killeen, Texas. Guillen said her sisters loved ones are eagerly awaiting a trial so the public will know the truth about what happened to her sister, whose disappearance in April 2020 was shrouded in mystery. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Robinson was also the last person Vanessa texted before her April 22 disappearance. I felt something was telling me that he did something, and I wasnt wrong apparently, Mayra Guillen said. Ultimately, Aguilar sought to have her confession thrown out, arguing she did not see a judge in a timely fashion when first charged, ABC13 News in Houston reported in May. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy announced the investigation in September, saying it would be a comprehensive look at the actions taken at every echelon of command in the wake of Guillns disappearance. Guillen will never be forgotten on Fort Hood, obviously, and throughout the majority of the world at this point, explained Maj. Gabriela "Gabby" Thompson, a public Vanessa Guillen has moved veterans around the country to tell their story. The documentary details Vanessa's horrifying death and the steps her family took in the aftermath to create change. "[27], A mural in honor of Guilln was created in her hometown of Houston by a local artist. In the pursuit, they met Donald Trump. Records show that the document was sealed by the judge, but not in time to stop multiple news outlets from accessing the report. According to investigators, Aguilar claimed Robinson would go into moods in which he would not be his normal self and have a tic., Aguilar later explained why Robison killed Guillen, saying Guillen saw Robinsons cellphone lock screen, which contained a picture of Aguilar, the document states. The main suspect in disappearance was identified by officials on Thursday as Spc. Aaron Robinson killed himself with a gun just before the few days when charges against him were made public. Guilln died in 2020 after going missing from Fort Hood in Texas. Aaron David Robinson grabbed a hammer on April 22, 2020, and bludgeoned Guillen, 20, of Houston, to death in an arms room on the Texas military base, authorities said. "She got the idea to buy the concrete that way from watching the show CSI/Criminal Minds and believed she would not leave a 'paper trail'," according to officials. Before Guillen went missing, she told her family that she was being sexually harassed by one of her sergeants at Fort Hood, according to a website her family set up to promote the search. It was unclear from the report if Guillens autopsy corroborated Aguilars claim that Robinson sexually assaulted the slain soldier. Investigators had spoken to Aguilar multiple times at this point, and according to Dendy, this is when she finally confessed. Spc. Vanessa, 20, who was He said during Tuesday's press conference that Fort Hood had an ad hoc missing persons policy and "failed to institute crime suppression strategies.". He then enlisted the help of Aguilar to dispose of the remains. Vanessa Guillen was bludgeoned to death with a hammer in the armory room where she worked, an attorney for Guillens family said on Thursday. [5][23] The area had previously been searched by Texas Rangers, detectives, and cadaver dogs on June20 after a burn mound was discovered nearby. Murrays report provides a slew of new details including that Vanessa Guilln was being harassed, but not by Spc. Aaron Robinson hit Guillen in the head with a hammer after Guillen saw a picture of Aguilar on Robinsons phone, according to a61-page Texas Department of Public Safety investigation. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Due to her time in service, Guillen was promoted to specialist on Wednesday, according to the Fort Hood website. Destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in a federal investigation, United States Attorney's Office Western District of Texas, "Grand jury indicts Cecily Aguilar on 11 counts in Vanessa Guillen murder trial", "Vanessa Guillen bludgeoned to death by fellow soldier, attorney says; suspect ID'd as Calumet City man", "Civilian charged in plot to dismember and hide remains of murdered Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen", "Pfc. [3] On July13, 2021, she was indicted on eleven counts by a federal grand jury. Sister of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen painted on a wall on the south side of Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, July 11, 2020. Aaron Robinson's girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, was arrested and indicted by a grand jury under charges related to tampering with documents and Vanessa's body at the district court in Waco, Texas. Aaron struck a hammer multiple times on Vanessas head and ended up killing her. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [20] The authorities said that more than 300 interviews and over 10,000 hours were spent investigating Guilln's disappearance. Theres no reason why a young beautiful girl who joined the Army, to honorably serve our country, should be in a shallow grave near on our own turf.. Robinson's girlfriend Cecily Aguilar reportedly told police that he killed Guillen because he didn't want to get in trouble over his relationship with Aguilar, who was still married to another soldier. Vanessa Guilln's fellow soldier, Aaron David Robinson, was the main suspect in her death. Khawam said the family told her that Guillen had planned to file a harassment complaint against Robinson the day after she was killed, and that they believe Robinson became enraged when she told him that. Vanessa Guillen: Her Life And Fort Hood Murder, How To Show Up For Someone Facing Domestic Abuse, I Didnt Realize How Fresh It Could Still Feel', Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Copyright 2022 Rationalinsurgent All Right Reserved. The investigation into Guillens disappearance is separate from another into her familys claim that she was sexually harassed. "There was a founded fear that the confidentiality of the reporting process would be compromised," Swecker said. A colleague told investigators her wallet, ID and keys were still there when he locked up for the day, according to the documents. After knowing the reason behind the horrible death of Vanessa and the fact that (Google). Did you watch I Am Venessa Guillen? Natalie also played a role in helping the family push for the 'I Am Vanessa Guillen Act,' parts of which went into effect in early 2022. She previously worked at Axios covering breaking news. "It took so long to get an adjudication that people never saw an adjudication.". Jack White, a lawyer with experience in government investigations, said the findings and recommendations also included consideration of long conversations with members of Guilln's family. According to the NYT, there will be no further discussion done by the army leaders for the murder case of Vanessa Guillen. And she added that Robinson hit Guillen in the head with a hammer. Vanessa Guillen told her family she was being sexually harassed. Their investigation concluded with nine findings and 70 recommendations, which were presented to Army leadership on November 9. Aaron struck a hammer multiple times on Vanessas head and ended up killing her. Foul play is also suspected in Wedel-Morales death, and the Army is offering a $25,000 reward for information. WACO, Texas - The only person charged in the death of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guilln will be in federal court today. NEW documents have revealed the motive behind the 2020 murder of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen, who was beaten with a hammer and dismembered. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window). The movie showcases her life and her family's fight for Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. McCarthy named five civilians to be part of the review of the command climate and culture at the base and in the surrounding military community around Fort Hood. As we have called for investigations and uncovered the truth behind her death, one thing is clear: The Army failed Vanessa Guillen. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. [3] Upon hearing about the discovery, Robinson fled Fort Hood and fatally shot himself when law enforcement attempted to apprehend him in nearby Killeen, Texas. The murder of Vanessa Guilln, a 20-year-old United States Army soldier, took place inside an armory at Fort Hood, Texas, on April 22, 2020, when she was bludgeoned to death by another soldier, Aaron David Robinson. Aaron Robinson and his girlfriend are suspected of burning and dismembering Guillen, 20, and encasing her body in concrete in multiple shallow graves next to the Leon River. As officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, the suspect displayed a weapon and discharged it toward himself. Robinson, 20, killed himself June 30, 2020, as investigators moved in to arrest him. Investigators learned that Guillen had left the arms room where she was working to go to a separate arms room to confirm serial numbers for weapons and equipment on which she was working. She was later found dead, having been allegedly killed by another soldier. Guilln was stationed at Fort Hood, a U.S. Army installation in Bell County, Texas, which is approximately 340 square miles (880km2) in size and home to III Corps and the First Cavalry Division. "We discovered 93 credible accounts of sexual assault, of those only 59 were reported," Rodriguez said, adding that the number of unreported accounts shows how a "lack of confidence in the system affects reporting" of assaults. Then they buried the bones and put cement over the bones so they could not be found.. Court documents say that Robinson told Aguilar he repeatedly "bludgeoned" Vanessa in the head with a hammer at Fort Hood, and that she died from the wounds. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. [41], On July10, 2020, the Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy announced that he would order a "full independent review" of Guilln's case. (AP Photo/LM Otero). The Guillen family have become advocates against violence on military bases since the homicide. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Guilln died in 2020 after going missing from Fort Hood in Texas. Robinson was coming out of the armory with a large black Pelican case, a lightweight but impact and water-resistant case favored by the military. Did you encounter any technical issues? Protein to PHP {Nov 2021} How To Buy? Vanessa Guillen Murder: What you need to know Pfc. [15] On June 23, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, in whose district Guilln's family resides, met with Fort Hood officials to discuss the ongoing search. Officials arrested Aaron Robinson, an army specialist, and his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, for the murder of Vanessa Guillen. We can and must hold ourselves accountable, learn and improve across all our Army units, Garrett said in the release. My sister was a very responsible person, that would not meddle into Robinsons and Aguilars alleged relationship, Mayra toldABC13 News. A search of Pfc. A new report released on Friday finally provides a painfully clear picture of what happened before and after Spc. She told the Tribune that her legal team had talked with several of Vanessa's friends and family, all of whom confirmed that Vanessa had been sexually assaulted. "In looking at the culture we wanted to hear from them what their experience was when their daughter was missing, when the search was happening, what were their interactions with command," White said. Cecily Aguilar will try everything in her power to walk freely, as we are being denied the truth at this very moment.. Vanessa should be here today, defending her loved ones and her country.". Aaron Robinson, the man accused of killing her. By Guillen's remains were found more than two months later, burned, dismembered and encased in concrete. "It clarifies expectations and responsibilities of unit commanders and Army law enforcement authorities, focusing on the first 48 hours a soldier is missing," McCarthy said. WebHer Sisters Death Was Ignored So She Fought Back Vanessa Guillen#truecrime #iamvanessaguillen #truecrimecommunity The Army said Tuesday that those relieved of duty include Major General Scott L. Efflandt, Colonel Ralph Overland and Command Sergeant Major Bradley Knapp. "My sister was a very responsible person, that would not meddle into Robinson's and Aguilar's alleged 'relationship.' Cecily Aguilar will try everything in her power to walk freely as we are being denied the truth at this very moment, Guillens sister Mayra toldABC13 News. The Army, League of United Latin American Citizens and Houston rapper Baby Bash have pooled together a $55,000 reward for information on Guillens disappearance. Vanessa Guillns disappearance and death marked a flashpoint for long-standing issues facing the militarys handling of sexual harassment and assault. Vanessa Guillen, at Fort Hood in Texas. Phelps said the remains have not been positively identified. Keon Aguilar told investigators he and his friend had returned from getting food the night of April 22 and parked across from the barracks, near the entrance to the armory in the basement. The U.S. Army released a report Friday saying officers at Fort Hood in Texas ignored complaints of sexual harassment from Specialist Vanessa Guilln, the soldier The new documentary film, directed by Christy Wegener, explores the murder of Guilln, whose dismembered remains were found in three graves along the Leon River in Texas two months after she disappeared. Vanessa Guillen, who was based at Fort Hood with Robinson. Guillen, 20, was last seen in the parking lot of her barracks at the Texas Army base April 22, CID said. I Am Vanessa Guillen is streaming on Netflix now. Private First Class Vanessa Guillen is suspected was killed two years ago. Rationalinsurgent is an online platform for the next-gen investors, buyers, and Crypto holders to explore and learn how digital assets and other cryptocurrencies Read More. Her burned and dismembered remains were found June 30, 2020, about 26 miles away near Belton, Texas, on the Leon River. "(Robinson) told her he was worried about getting in trouble for violating the Army's fraternization rules since Aguilar was still married to another soldier and he hit Guillen in the head with a hammer.". I am Vanessa Guillen also follows the incredible efforts of her sisters Lupe and Mayra and lawyer Natalie Khawam to seek justice for Guilln and sexual assault victims in the military in the wake of Guilln's death. Robinsons phone, FBI special Agent Jonathan Varga wrote in a 2020 affidavit. Thanks for contacting us. The report from Gen. John Mike Murray, the head of Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas, comes almost five months after the bombshell Fort Hood report released by the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee in December. She has been charged with 11 counts, including tampering with evidence, being an accessory after the fact and making false statements to law enforcement. WebVanessa Guillen is seen in April 2021, a year after she was slain and her body found buried here along FM 436 near Belton, Texas. Images released Thursday, June 18, 2020, by officials at Fort Hood show soldiers searching for Army Spc. appreciated. Fort Hood murder: Images released Thursday, June 18, 2020, by officials at Fort Hood show soldiers searching for Army Spc. The Army suspended Major General Jeffrey Broadwater and Command Sergeant Major Thomas C. Kenny, pending the outcome of a new investigation into the 1st Cavalry Division's command climate and program for preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault. Guillens autopsy showed she had multiple blunt force injuries to the skull, in addition to burn damage. The exact motive behind Guilln's death is unlikely to ever be known, considering her suspected killer, Robinson, died by suicide before police could arrest him. A- Venessa was 20 years old when Aaron Robinson killed her. Rogelio, Vanessas father, told me how Vanessa dreamed of joining the Army when she was 12 Vanessa should be here today, defending her loved ones and her country.. The late Spc. Army officials said on Friday that a total of 21 Army officers or noncommissioned officers have been implicated in the two reports on Fort Hood. Vanessa mysteriously disappeared on April 22, 2020, according to The New York Times. Gen. Michael X. Garrett, the commander of FORSCOM, has directed the relief of five current or former officers and noncommissioned officers as a result of the investigation, officials said. The gate is also the main entry point to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, where Guilln worked in an arms room as a small arms repairer. Vanessa Guillen Autopsy Results. On July 2, a charge was brought against another soldier at Fort Hood, Aaron Robinson, who killed himself with a pistol a few days before the charge was announced, per The Times. Robinson had been accused of sexual harassment in the past but unrelated to Guilln. [40] Guilln's mother stated publicly that she had spoken to witnesses who heard two shots at the moment of Robinson's death, and stated her belief that Robinson was executed by authorities as part of a coverup involving senior members of the military. The suspect succumbed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Killeen Police Department said in a news release. Vanessa Guillen saw his married girlfriends photo on the Fort Hood soldiers phone before she was killed and mutilated in April 2020. This shouldnt have happened. Guillens sister, Mayra Guillen, told ABC13 in Houston last week that her family was enraged when reading Aguilars latest account of what took place the night her sister was slain. Vanessa Guillen was murdered at Fort Hood on April 22, 2020, by Arron David Robinson. Mallika Kallingal, Eliott C McLaughlin, Nicole Chavez and Raja Razek contributed to this report. They buried her body in multiple holes with plans to return in a few days. [23] According to a criminal complaint filed in the Western District Court of Texas, Aguilar allegedly helped Robinson dismember and dispose of Guilln's body on April22, 2020, after Robinson told her he had bludgeoned Guilln to death with a hammer inside the armory. Robinson killed himself the next day, and Aguilar has been the only person charged in Guillen's murder. Did you watch I Am Venessa Guillen? Broadwater was subsequently assigned as deputy commander of V Corps at Fort Knox, Kentucky. In challenging her charges earlier this year, court documents have revealed a potential motive for Guilln's murder at the hands of Robinson. According to investigators, Aguilar confessed her involvement in the killing to a fellow inmate at the Bell County Jail. Aguilar faces federal charges in connection with the case. After she went missing in April, her car keys, room key, identification card and wallet were found in an armory room where she was working that day. The Guillen family have become advocates against violence on military bases since the homicide. [43], On December8, 2020, McCarthy announced the results of the investigation, disciplining 14 U.S. commanders and other leaders at Fort Hood, citing multiple "leadership failures". Aguilar told her he had not but said he did so after Guillen was dead, the court documents state. This September, she would have turned 23. Guilln's sister Lupe told Newsweek: "The sister relationship that I had with Vanessa was very tremendous as any other sister relationship. Murray found no evidence that Robinson harassed Guilln, though his report said Robinson had sexually harassed another female specialist at Fort Hood between April and September 2019. A witness told investigators that Specialist Guillen left the arms room where she had been working and went to the arms room controlled by Specialist Robinson to confirm serial numbers for weapons and equipment, the complaint said. Specialist Robinson later said he read her the serial numbers and gave her paperwork, according to court documents. Fort Hood officials said they were not aware of reports of sexual harassment involving Robinson but the investigation was ongoing. Vanessa Guillen autopsy report. "No one deserves to live the way she did at that military base, and the only thing I have left is to leave her legacy because she deserves it more than anyone else.".

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