The U.S. Amry Criminal Investigation Command released a statement Tuesday, following the discovery of remains in a shallow grave by the Leon River in Bell County, Texas, in connection with the disappearance of Fort Hood soldier, Vanessa Guillen.
“Due to extensive investigative work conducted by Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, agents have returned to an area of interest close to the Leon River, Bell County, Texas for more investigative work in the search for PFC Vanessa Guillen.
After receiving additional information, agents have discovered what has been described as partial human remains after analysis from a forensic anthropologist. Army CID agents are currently on scene with the Texas Rangers, the FBI and Bell County Sheriff’s Department.
No confirmation as to the identity of the remains has been made at this point and we ask for the media and public’s understanding that the identification process can take time.
Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, no further information will be released at this time.”
The discovery came during a second search of the area surrounding the Leon River. Officials previously searched the area on June 22.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 20-year-old Guillen disappeared on April 22. She was last seen at around 1 p.m. at the parking lot of the Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, in Fort Hood, Texas.
Guillen left behind her car keys, barracks room key, identification card, and wallet in the Arms room, where she works. She was also called in on her day off, but it’s unclear who called her in or why.
Guillen’s mother, Gloria Guillen, previously told CrimeOnline that a sergeant at the base had been sexually harassing her daughter.
“[Guillen] said it was stalking and verbal harassment. He would look at her some type of way that would make any woman feel uncomfortable,” Gloria Guillen, who speaks Spanish, said through her daughter, Mayra Guillen, who translated on her behalf.
No suspects have been named at this time.
In a separate incident last week, authorities found a different set of remains off of the 3400 block of Florence Road in Killeen, near an area where searchers previously found slain Fort Hood soldier, Gregory Wedel-Morales. It’s unclear whether those particular remains are of human or an animal.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Here is a previous episode on the case.
[Feature Photo: Vanessa Guillen/Handout]
