Pfc. Brandon Scott Rosecrans shot dead in May in Texas: Pfc. Vanessa Guillen’s remains found
18 may 2020, Death of a Fort Hood Soldier
After a month long investigation, authorities have determined that Pfc. Brandon Scott Rosecrans’ death in late May was a homicide, Army Times reported 1 July. The incident is under investigation by the Harker Heights Police Department and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
Fort Hood officials had released the name of a Soldier who was found deceased May 18 near Fuller Lane, Harker Heights, Texas.
Pfc. Brandon Scott Rosecrans, 27, whose home of record is listed as Kimberling City, Missouri, entered the Army in May 2018 as a quartermaster and chemical equipment repairer and has been assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since November 2018.
Rosecrans’ awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
” Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan McLane and I would like to express our deepest regrets to the family and loved ones of Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans. The thoughts and prayers of the Soldiers of 215th Brigade Support Battalion and the Greywolf Brigade are with them during this difficult time,” said Col. Kevin Capra, commander 3ABCT.
PFC Vanessa Guillen (Below):
U.S. Army CID released the following July 1, 2020:
One military suspect is deceased after taking his own life yesterday in Killeen, Texas, and a civilian suspect has been arrested by the Texas Rangers in connection with the disappearance of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen.
Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, along with the U.S. Marshals, Killeen Police Department, and the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force were attempting to locate the junior Soldier from Fort Hood who fled the post late yesterday. While law enforcement agencies, minus Army CID Special Agents, attempted to make contact with the suspect, the suspect reportedly displayed a weapon and took his own life.
The name of the Soldier will not be released at this time pending the notification of next of kin. The civilian suspect is the estranged wife of a former Fort Hood Soldier and is currently in custody in the Bell County Jail awaiting charges by civilian authorities.
Additionally, the Texas Rangers, with assistance from Army CID and other agencies, are still processing the scene at the Leon River in Bell County, Texas, where partial human remains were discovered yesterday. Coordination has been made with Armed Forces Medical Examiner Services, who will assist with dental x-rays/DNA for identification by the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science, Dallas, Texas. A positive identification of the remains is pending.
“We have made significant progress in this tragic situation and are doing everything possible to get to the truth and bring answers to the family of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen,” said Chris Grey, the spokesman for Army CID.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question: When was the first report of Vanessa Guillén missing?
Answer: Vanessa Guillen went missing on April 22, 2020. She was last seen was last seen at approximately 11:30 a.m. that day, April 22, in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, on Fort Hood, Texas. Her car keys, barracks room key, identification card were later found in the arms room. She was last seen in the parking lot wearing a black t-shirt and purple fitness-type pants.
A search started following her disappearance and continues by military and civilian law enforcement, as well as Fort Hood military members.
Persons with information can contact Army CID Special Agents at 254-287-2722 or the Military Police Desk at 254-288-1170. They can also anonymously submit information at https://www.cid.army.mil/report-a-crime.html. (People wishing to remain anonymous will be honored to the degree allowable under the law and the information will be held in the strictest confidence allowable.)
Question: Is there a reward being offered by the Army for information about Vanessa Guillén’s possible location?
Answer: The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for credible information leading to the whereabouts of missing Fort Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillén. Army CID and Fort Hood continue to seek the public’s help for information. Persons with information can contact Army CID Special Agents at 254-287-2722 or the Military Police Desk at 254-288-1170. They can also anonymously submit information at https://www.cid.army.mil/report-a-crime.html. (People wishing to remain anonymous will be honored to the degree allowable under the law and the information will be held in the strictest confidence allowable.)
Question: Is the Army investigating the possibility that Vanessa Guillén may be the victim of sexual harassment?
Answer: The 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood appointed an investigating team led by a senior Investigating Officer (IO) to conduct a commander’s investigation, referred to as an “Army Regulation 15-6 Investigation” into allegations that Vanessa Guillén was sexually harassed. An Army Regulation 15-6 investigation is the Army’s standard method of investigation and is used to collect and analyze facts and make recommendations based on those facts. The IO will gather the evidence, thoroughly and impartially consider it, and make findings and recommendations. Once the investigation is complete, the IO will present the findings and recommendations to the unit’s command for his review. Fort Hood units continue to aggressively search for Vanessa Guillén.
Question: Have Fort Hood officials spoken with the family and members of Congress about this ongoing case?
Answer: Fort Hood leadership updated Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congressional staff members from Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman John Carter, Congressman Roger Williams, and members of Vanessa Guillén’s family June 23 to discuss details of the ongoing investigation of Pfc. Guillén’s disappearance. The in-person visit follows multiple in-person and virtual meetings between Garcia, the Guillén family, and unit leadership. During the visit, Col. Ralph Overland, 3rd Cavalry Regiment commander, and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command agents updated Garcia and the Guillén Family on the most recent searches and status of the investigation; and also showed them Vanessa’s work area and the parking lot where she was last seen.
“We appreciate the opportunity to provide the Guillén family, Congresswoman Garcia, and other congressional delegates a comprehensive update,” Overland said. “They are Vanessa’s family, and Vanessa is part of our family. We all have the same goal—to find Vanessa and bring her home. The Regiment is fully committed to this and we will not stop until we find her.”
Question: Is this case connected to the disappearance of PV2 Morales from Fort Hood?
Answer: We have no credible information or evidence the investigation into the disappearance of PFC Guillén is in any way connected to the investigation into the death of PV2 Gregory Wedel-Morales, who was last seen on the night of Aug. 19, 2019, while driving his car in Killeen, Texas. His remains were recovered in Killeen on 19 June 2020.
PFC VANESSA GUILLEN INFORMATION
PFC Vanessa Guillen went missing on April 22, 2020. Guillen’s unit reported her missing to the US Army Criminal Investigation Division on April 23 when a check of the barracks and unit area did not locate her.
- Last seen between about 11:30 am in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Regiment on Fort Hood, Texas
- Her car keys, barracks room key, identification card were later found in the arms room. She was last seen in the parking lot wearing a black t-shirt and purple fitness-type pants.
- Guillen is of Hispanic descent, five feet, two inches tall, 126 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Her Military Occupational Specialty is a 91F, Small Arms/Artillery Repairer.
Persons with information should contact Army CID Special Agents at 254-287-2722 or the Military Police Desk at 254-288-1170. They can also anonymously submit information at https://www.cid.army.mil/report-a-crime.html. People wishing to remain anonymous will be honored to the degree allowable under the law and the information will be held in the strictest confidence allowable.