FORT HOOD, Texas – Human remains have been found during the search for a missing Fort Hood soldier who is from Houston.
Chris Grey, public affairs chief for the military’s Criminal Investigation Command, confirmed to KPRC 2 on Tuesday that investigators looking into the disappearance of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, 20, found what are being described as “partial human remains” near the Leon River in Bell County.
“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,” Grey said in a written statement. “Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, no further information will be released at this time.”
Texas EquuSearch which was active in the search for Guillen, told KPRC 2 Tuesday evening that it is suspending its search for Guillen until the remains are positively identified.
“We found evidence last week in the area near the shallow grave that the remains were found in,” said Tim Miller with Texas EquuSearch. “We do believe that the remains are hers.”
“Firm believer God had a hand in something on this and wanted her found,” Miller said.
He said his team was at the location a couple of days ago and, after finding what they believed to be evidence, planned to return there on Wednesday.
“Little did we know, there were times we were probably standing on top of her,” Miller said.
He said his team was at the location a couple of days ago and, after finding what they believed to be evidence, planned to return there on Wednesday.
“Little did we know, there were times we were probably standing on top of her,” Miller said.
A trooper said a rancher working on a fence found what’s described as partial human remains. Miller said whoever is responsible did a good job of concealing their work.
“Shallow grave. Covered up. Just everything blended in together,” Miller said.
Investigators did not say how long it could take to identify the remains.
Grey said that CID agents are at the scene with agents from the FBI, the Texas Rangers and the Bell County Sheriff’s Office.
Guillen, who is assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, was last seen on April 22 in the parking lot of her regimental engineer squadron headquarters.
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) met with base officials last week and said military investigators believed foul play was involved in Guillen’s disappearance.
A lawyer representing the family said there were lots of gaps in the information that was provided to the family regarding Guillen’s movements on the day she went missing.
Base officials said June 18 that they were launching an investigation into allegations that Guillen was sexually harassed before her disappearance.
The attorney for Guillen’s family will speak at a news conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, alongside Guillen’s family. The attorney will demand a Congressional investigation.