GUILTY TX - PFC Vanessa Guillén, 20, Fort Hood military base, items left behind, 22 Apr 2020 #1

[California Sunset]

An “extensive search” is underway for a 20-year-old soldier, who went missing earlier this week while stationed in Texas.

Private First Class Vanessa Guillen was last seen on Wednesday, April 22, at 1:00 p.m. local time in a parking lot at squadron headquarters in Fort Hood, army officials said in a press release, as they asked members of the public for help finding the missing soldier.

Afterward, several items belonging to Guillen were “found in the armory room,” where she had been working before her disappearance. The items included her car keys, ID and wallet.

More at Search Underway in Texas for Missing 20-Year-Old Soldier: 'Something Is Not Right,' Says Sister

Fort Hood soldier disappears; keys, ID card, wallet later found

 

[California Sunset]

I'm ex-military. Your ID is supposed to be with you always.
As long ago as it was, I was terrified I'd get sent to Ft. Hood.

 

[California Sunset]

She could not leave Base without her military Id because she absolutely needs it to come back...Sounds bad...They need to search all barracks and premises. Fort Hood is huge. You need to drive from building to building - everything is stretched and far away... Texas rangers are there so it is very helpful...Very worrisome comments on FB...She did not disappear on her own accord most likely.

Are they requiring everyone to show ID to get on the post at this time?

 

[California Sunset]

Yeah, if you want to take off and go AWOL, this is a very strange way to do it.

Foul play is a bit strange too though, as she disappeared in broad daylight. We just need more info.

Foul play can happen anytime, anywhere. She only had to walk away with someone she trusted, or someone in authority, someone that told her 'you are wanted (somewhere)'. Or, someone with a weapon. It's always someone nearby that makes a move.
I believe the fact she didn't take her ID means she didn't plan to go far. Had she already been to lunch?

 

[MassGuy]

Foul play can happen anytime, anywhere. She only had to walk away with someone she trusted, or someone in authority, someone that told her 'you are wanted (somewhere)'. Or, someone with a weapon. It's always someone nearby that makes a move.
I believe the fact she didn't take her ID means she didn't plan to go far. Had she already been to lunch?

Yes, but my point was that when a soldier disappears, AWOL is most likely (as it happens far more often than foul play does).

That being said, I think foul play is far more probable here (timing aside).

We don’t know if she had been to lunch yet, but it’s very common to do both PT and eat during that time.

We have very few details thus far, and most of them came from very early on.

 

[California Sunset]

So many things happen to women while serving in the military. She was pretty, and tiny. Definitely doesnt make sense to take a phone but leave keys behind. I dont know anything about military bases, isn't it a bold move to abduct someone from a base???

It does seem a bold move to take her in broad daylight at lunchtime. I think someone got her co-operation and then used force after she was in a vehicle, or out of sight. Maybe she had her phone because the person(s) responsible didn't know she had her phone with her.

No. It's not bold to abduct someone from a base. Soldiers have been killed in their rooms, raped in the barracks, etc. I'm ex-military.
Someone attempted to abduct me from the sidewalk right next to my building, full of open windows and people. It was a bright and sunny afternoon, I'd walked across the parking lot and was about 15 ft. from the door. Some guy came out the door and scared the guy off.
The part that really got me? I never saw the guy, I never heard him or felt his presence and he was right behind me, preparing to grab me. I never knew he was there.

 

[California Sunset]

Yes, but my point was that when a soldier disappears, AWOL is most likely (as it happens far more often than foul play does).

That being said, I think foul play is far more probable here (timing aside).

We don’t know if she had been to lunch yet, but it’s very common to do both PT and eat during that time.

We have very few details thus far, and most of them came from very early on.

Have you ever been in the military? Been on military bases often? You're talking AWOL awfully fast here. How do you know what happens more frequently? She's a female. That makes her more of a target. That's the truth.
I don't remember any AWOLs in the places where I was, but I do know of a lot of foul play.

 

[MassGuy]

Have you ever been in the military? Been on military bases often? You're talking AWOL awfully fast here.

I served in the Marines, and I know exactly what I’m talking about. Read any monthly court martial report across the branches, and you’ll find countless AWOL cases.

Compare that to military murder statistics, and you’ll find that the latter represents a fraction of the former.

So all things being equal, AWOL is the most likely scenario when a soldier goes missing.

I just don’t think that happened here.

 

[California Sunset]

I served in the Marines, and I know exactly what I’m talking about. Read any monthly court martial report across the branches, and you’ll find countless AWOL cases.

Compare that to military murder statistics, and you’ll find that the latter represents a fraction of the former.

So all things being equal, AWOL is the most likely scenario when a soldier goes missing.

I just don’t think that happened here.

Thank you for your service.
I agree. I don't think this young woman went AWOL. The thing here is, you're a guy. I doubt you have any idea what it's like to be a pretty girl in the military. I do. Being female was bad enough, but being of above average appearance was hell. I was sexually harassed every day except basic training. Are you going to tell me you know what that was like?
I'm trying to get info on this, but, I will tell you, back when I was in, I said if they send me to Ft. Hood, I'm getting a handgun.

 

[California Sunset]

I served in the Marines, and I know exactly what I’m talking about. Read any monthly court martial report across the branches, and you’ll find countless AWOL cases.

Compare that to military murder statistics, and you’ll find that the latter represents a fraction of the former.

So all things being equal, AWOL is the most likely scenario when a soldier goes missing.

I just don’t think that happened here.

You're comparing apples to oranges here. Court martials and murders to AWOL cases. Where are your statistics for rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, etc?

 

[MassGuy]

Thank you for your service.
I agree. I don't think this young woman went AWOL. The thing here is, you're a guy. I doubt you have any idea what it's like to be a pretty girl in the military. I do. Being female was bad enough, but being of about average appearance was hell. I was sexually harassed every day except basic training. Are you going to tell me you know what that was like?
I'm trying to get info on this, but, I will tell you, back when I was in, I said if they send me to Ft. Hood, I'm getting a handgun.

Oh I’ve seen it, and I think it plays here. I do think if this ends up being foul play, she knew this person.

A female’s experience in the military is nothing like that of a male, and I don’t mean that in a good way.

 

[California Sunset]

If she was kidnapped, it would seem that she was abducted from the armory where she left her belongings at, since I really can't imagine anyone would leave keys, and wallet behind intentionally, even if just making a quick trip to the parking lot. My wallet would never be left behind, that's for certain.

Do you know if she was armed? Did she carry a handgun? Does anyone know if there are any weapons missing/unaccounted for?

 

[California Sunset]

No idea.MOO likely that it isn't required. An armory is often a single room with a few armorers working.

I sat with an MP a few times while he had duty in the arms room. The MPS going off duty, or going on, would come in and they'd have to sign in to return the weapon, and I think also to pick it up. (I mostly remember the ones returning their weapons) The MP with duty in the room knew all the guys coming in and they knew him. I don't know if that's what this situation was like here, or if this was a larger place.
I'm not remembering the weapons process during basic training, but then, the process of signing out weapons, or signing them in, usually happens in groups, doesn't it? You don't just randomly go to the arms room and request a weapon, or do you? I would expect you to have to show ID if you're exchanging a weapon.

 

[California Sunset]

This was my thinking as well, I think they May even know who she left with by now. I think there’s more info that they haven’t released yet jmo

There's always more info that isn't released.

 

[California Sunset]

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/fort-hood-vanessa-guillen-missing

SABBM:

• Her keys, ID card, wallet, and barracks room key were all found later in the armory room that she was working in that day.

This article is stating her barracks room key was also found in the armory room.

If true, then it makes it even odder that she was last seen in the parking lot outside of her barracks.

Clearly, she wasn't planning on returning to her room at that point if she left her key back at the armory.

It's really sounding like she planned to meet someone in that parking lot…the questions are who, and for what purpose?

Her cell phone records likely hold the answers to both questions.

JMO.

Her phone was somewhere else, but what evidence is there that she placed the phone there or she had it on her? I think the armory needs to be gone over with a fine tooth comb, and then searched again, thoroughly.

 

[California Sunset]

Here is a map of Fort Hood, and Belton, where Vanessa's phone last pinged.
View attachment 244662
Google Maps

Belton is 21 miles away from one of the gates of Fort Hood, but it is only 6 miles away from the eastern edge of Fort Hood. Considering the fact that we don't know the exact location of the cell tower where Vanessa's phone last pinged,
Vanessa could have been very close to the eastern boundry of Fort Hood.

I hate to say this, but what is your proof that Vanessa had the phone in her possession? You can prove the phone was there, but who took it there?

 

[California Sunset]

Vanessa is getting a lot of military and civilian news coverage.
MOO foul play is my speculation only.
Or accident during her exercise run?
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/fort-hood-vanessa-guillen-missing

Military and civilian police at Fort Hood, including agents from Army Criminal Investigations Command, are conducting an "extensive search" for a young private who hasn't been seen since Wednesday.

Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, 20, was last seen in a black t-shirt at 1 p.m., in the parking lot of the Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, according to a Fort Hood press release

Under 10cc TOS/WS
Haley Britzky is the Army reporter for Task & Purpose. You can reach her at [email protected], or [email protected]

How long was she missing before they started announcing it?

 

[California Sunset]

For anyone who wants to catch up:

Vanessa Guillen Missing: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

Thank you for this. I've been searching online and information disseminated is in short supply

 

[watergirl62]

Are they requiring everyone to show ID to get on the post at this time?

Gk posted this upthread. *snipped*

BBM:

Fort Hood COVID-19 Information :: U.S Army Fort Hood

Some services on Fort Hood limited due to COVID-19
SABBM:
Soldiers and Department of the Army police will not be checking identification cards at this time. All entry onto the installation will by through automated installation entry machine ID card scanning only.

Also, this: III Corps and Fort Hood issues shelter-in-place orders, curfew
SABBM:
According to the order, no visitors are allowed in barracks or on-post housing. Visitors are defined in the order as “any person who does not normally reside in the normal place of residence of the soldier.”

How long was she missing before they started announcing it?

About 48 hours.

Fort Hood conducting 'extensive search' for missing soldier, $15,000 reward offered for information

 

[California Sunset]

Interesting.

From the linked Heavy article above:

In response to questions about cameras at Fort Hood, multiple people have said on Facebook that there just aren’t many cameras on the base. In one discussion on The Ft. Hood Fallen, one person who was at Fort Hood a year ago wrote: “There aren’t many cameras. Just a fact for Hood. Red light cameras, perhaps, but surveillance? No.”
________________

If this is true, I'm appalled.

Fort Hood was the site of a terrorist mass shooting back in 2009.

One would think they would have at least beefed up their security cameras in the wake of that horrific event.

JMO.

We all should be appalled. I'm appalled I forgot about the terrorist mass shooting in 2009. Thank you for the reminder.
I am stunned there aren't that many cameras there. Is it possible there are more cameras there than we think? Any banks or businesses on the base that would have cameras? The PX, the Commissary, gas stations, someone mentioned a gym? Don't they have cameras at the gates?