- The US Army found partial human remains in an area currently being investigated in the search for US Army Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, the missing soldier stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas.
- It was unclear whose remains were found.
- Other law enforcement officials, including the Texas Rangers, FBI, and the Bell County Sheriff's Department, were on the scene.
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The US Army announced that partial human remains were found in an area currently being investigated in the search for US Army Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, the missing soldier stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas.
It was unclear whose remains were found, the US Army Criminal Investigation Command said in a statement to Insider. Army investigators said they found the partial human remains after they "returned to an area of interest" near the Leon River in central Texas.
The remains were analyzed by a forensic anthropologist, who discovered their human origin.
"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," the Army Criminal Investigation Command said in its statement.
Other law enforcement officials, including the Texas Rangers, FBI, and the Bell County Sheriff's Department were on the scene.
Pfc. Guillen, a 20-year-old Houston native, was last seen at Ft. Hood on April 22. Following her disappearance, investigators found the keys to her car and room, along with other identification cards in the armory where she worked on that same day.
Democratic Rep. Sylvia García, a House lawmaker who represents Guillen's district, said last week that the Army believed "that there is foul play involved."
Over 150 people were interviewed during the investigation that spanned multiple law enforcement agencies and non-profit groups.
Guillen's sister, Mayra, said that Vanessa alleged that she had been sexually harassed by a superior. However, the Army said it had "no credible information or report."
"We are completely committed to finding Vanessa and aggressively going after every single piece of credible information and every lead in this investigation," Criminal Investigation Division spokesperson Chris Grey, said in a statement. "We will not stop until we find Vanessa."
"We know somebody out there has some very critical information pertaining to this investigation and we strongly encourage you to do the right thing and come forward," Grey added. "Do it for Vanessa and do it for her family, friends and fellow Soldiers."
The Army has offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Guillen.
The discovery of the human remains comes over a week after the remains of another Ft. Hood soldier was found in Texas. The skeletal remains of Pvt. Gregory Morales, a 24 year old Oklahoma native, was found on June 19 and identified the next day. He was last seen on August 19, 2019.
Investigators have not found a connection between the disappearance of Morales and Guillen.