The U.S. Army has formally referred charges against Specialist Wooster Rancy in connection with the October 2024 murder of Sergeant Sarah Roque, a fellow soldier assigned to the same battalion at Fort Leonard Wood. The case now moves forward to a general court-martial following a May Article 32 hearing that revealed disturbing details of the alleged killing.
According to Army court documents, SPC Rancy is charged with murder under Article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and obstruction of justice under Article 131b. The Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel referred the charges on July 8. A military judge will now be assigned to the case to schedule an arraignment and set trial dates.
A Grim Discovery
Sgt. Roque, 23, was reported missing on the morning of October 21, 2024, after failing to appear for formation. That night, her body was discovered in a dumpster near her barracks apartment. According to investigators, Roque had been shot in the head, zip-tied, and stuffed into a heavy-duty trash bag.
Authorities quickly arrested SPC Rancy, who was serving with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion—the same unit as Roque. Cell phone records placed both Rancy and Roque in her apartment the morning prior to her disappearance. Surveillance footage and receipts from a local Walmart revealed that Rancy had purchased trash bags and zip ties earlier that same day.
Premeditation Alleged
Prosecutors at the Article 32 preliminary hearing argued that SPC Rancy took calculated steps to cover up the crime. Not only did he allegedly buy cleanup supplies in advance, but investigators also uncovered Google searches on his device regarding trash collection schedules at Fort Leonard Wood and how long it takes for garbage to reach a landfill.
One witness, Zachary Craft, testified that he discovered Sgt. Roque’s iPhone 15 Pro Max while dumpster diving near Rancy’s off-post residence. Though he initially turned in the phone for cash, he later contacted authorities. Ballistics later matched a Ruger LC380 handgun found in Rancy’s apartment to the bullet that killed Roque. Blood evidence and a bullet hole were also found inside her refrigerator, strengthening the government’s case.
The defense did not present any witnesses or conduct cross-examination during the hearing.
About the Victim
Sgt. Sarah Roque, a native of Ligonier, Indiana, served as a Mine Dog Handler with the K9 Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. She enlisted in 2020 and completed her Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood.
Roque’s awards and decorations include:
- Army Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
Her body was returned home and laid to rest on October 29, 2024 in Indiana.
The Accused
SPC Wooster Rancy, originally from North Miami, Florida, joined the Army in 2022 and completed Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood. He is currently being held in pretrial confinement at the Midwest Joint Regional Confinement Facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The charges are allegations at this point, and under the U.S. military justice system, SPC Rancy is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
What Comes Next
With the charges officially referred, a military judge will oversee the next phase of the legal process, including arraignment, pre-trial hearings, and an eventual court-martial trial. No dates have been publicly announced yet.
The Army community at Fort Leonard Wood has been shaken by the case, which raises painful questions about safety, discipline, and leadership. Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck previously acknowledged the tragedy, saying, “This is something we never want to happen in our formations.”
As the case proceeds, The Salty Soldier will continue to follow developments in this high-profile military justice case.
© 2025 The Salty Soldier. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this content without permission is prohibited.
Editor’s Note: The details provided in this article are based on publicly available military records and reporting. The Salty Soldier strives to inform our audience on matters of military justice while respecting the legal principle of due process.
To report a correction or factual update, contact us at info@thesaltysoldier.com.
