This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On April 22, 2020, Private Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old Army soldier, disappeared from Fort Hood in Texas. Her family had been searching for answers, and on July 2, 2020, prosecutors announced a charge in her case.
The accused, Specialist Aaron Robinson, 20, had been identified in early July as the soldier who allegedly killed Private Guillen. He took his own life with a pistol a few days before the charge was filed.
Specialist Robinson's girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, was arrested in Killeen, Texas, and faces a charge of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.
Private Guillen's family had been demanding answers since her disappearance, and her case had captured the attention of politicians, celebrities, and activists who linked her story to the problem of sexual harassment in the military.
According to court documents, Specialist Robinson told his girlfriend that he had killed Private Guillen by striking her on the head with a hammer and then hid her body in a large box. The couple then attempted to dismember and burn the remains.
Key Events in the Case ¶
Here are the key events in the case:
- April 22, 2020: Private Vanessa Guillen disappears from Fort Hood in Texas.
- April 23, 2020: Her car keys, barracks room key, ID, and wallet are found in the armory room where she had been working.
- April 24, 2020: The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command posts a news release asking for the public's help in finding her.
- July 2, 2020: Prosecutors announce a charge in the case of Private Vanessa Guillen.
