The death of a soldier at a Missouri Army base is being investigated as a homicide

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (AP) — A person of interest is in custody in connection with the death of a soldier stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in south-central Missouri, authorities say.

The body of Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23, of Ligonier, Indiana, was found Tuesday in a dumpster. She went missing the day before. The cause of death has not been released, but the Department of the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division said Friday that the death is being investigated as a homicide.

Roque was a dog handler and a member of the 5th Engineer Battalion. She joined the service in 2020.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, commanding officer at Fort Leonard Wood, said in a statement that Roque’s death “has left a tremendous void” at the Army base.

Army officials have not released any additional information about the person in custody or a potential motive.