New details have emerged in the tragic killing of 23-year-old Sgt. Sarah Roque, whose body was discovered in a dumpster last October on Fort Leonard Wood. During a recent Article 32 hearing, prosecutors laid out a grim sequence of events implicating Specialist Wooster Rancy, a fellow soldier in the 5th Engineer Battalion, who now stands charged with her murder and obstruction of justice.
Sgt. Roque, originally from Ligonier, Indiana, was a bridge crewmember and Mine Dog Handler with the K9 Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. She enlisted in the Army in 2020, receiving multiple commendations during her service, including the Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
SPC Wooster Rancy, 21, joined the Army in 2022 and served as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company. According to investigators, Rancy murdered Roque on October 20, 2024, by shooting her once in the head inside her barracks room. Blood evidence and a bullet hole were found in her refrigerator during a search. Her body was later found zip-tied and stuffed inside a heavy-duty trash bag dumped into a nearby dumpster.
One disturbing revelation from the hearing was that Rancy had purchased the trash bags and zip ties earlier that same morning from a local Walmart. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Rancy searched online for information about Fort Leonard Wood’s trash collection schedule and how long it takes for trash to reach a landfill—a detail that painted a chilling picture of premeditation.
Roque was reported missing the morning after the alleged murder when she failed to show up for formation. Her body was discovered later that evening. Witness testimony included that of Zachary Craft, a local man who found Roque’s iPhone 15 Max Pro while dumpster diving near Rancy’s off-post residence. Craft admitted to turning in the phone for cash but later spoke to investigators.
A Ruger LC380 found in Rancy’s apartment was matched to the bullet discovered in Roque’s barracks. Cell phone location data also placed both soldiers in Roque’s apartment for about an hour around the time investigators believe she was killed.
The defense offered no witnesses and did not cross-examine the government’s two main witnesses during the hearing. The Article 32 process now awaits a decision on whether to proceed to court-martial.
This tragedy has rocked the Fort Leonard Wood community and raised broader concerns about safety and accountability within the ranks. Major General Beck acknowledged the profound loss, stating, “This is a tragedy. This is something that we never want to happen.”
As the Army weighs its next legal steps, both families and fellow soldiers are left grappling with the heartbreaking loss of Sgt. Roque and the disturbing allegations against one of their own.
© 2025 The Salty Soldier. All rights reserved.
The content of this webpage may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of TheSaltySoldier.com.
