Missing Fort Hood soldier's body found, foul play not suspected
by: Patrick Cunningham, The Associated Press
Posted: Aug 26, 2020 / 06:20 AM CDT / Updated: Aug 26, 2020 / 06:20 AM CDT
KILLEEN, Texas (KETK/AP) – The body of a third missing soldier from Fort Hood was found roughly 30 miles from the base, according to police late Tuesday.
Sgt. Elder Fernandes was identified after being found near some railroad tracks, according to the statement. According to an AP report, local police say that foul play is not suspected.
Natalie Khawam, who is representing the Fernandes family, said Army police told family members about the discovery late Tuesday night. She said the body was found hanging in a tree.
Fernandes' backpack was with him, Khawam said, and police found the 23-year-old man's driver's license inside.
He was reported missing from the base back on August 19 after being last seen on the 17th when a superior officer dropped him off at his home. Fernandes had been transferred after reporting sexual abuse.
"I am saddened that another soldier who served the country has been destroyed by sexual assault and sexual harassment and this toxic culture in the military that exists," said Khawam, who is also representing the family of Vanessa Guillen, another Fort Hood soldier who went missing and who was found dead. The Army said a fellow soldier killed her.
U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in a visit to Fort Hood earlier this month that the Central Texas base had some of the highest numbers of sexual assault, harassment and murder. He ordered an independent probe of Fort Hood in July, after authorities said Guillen was slain.∼The body of Sgt. Elder Fernandes , a Massachusetts native, was found hanging from a tree in Temple, Bell County, Texas.
It was determined that he had been deceased for some period of time.
His backpack was found with him with his driver's license inside.
His automobile was also found at the scene.
He was born in the Republic of Cabo Verde, which is a island 385 miles off the coast of Africa.
He was a 2015 graduate of Brockton High School and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade.
He was last seen by members of his unit on August 17, 2020 at a residence in Killeen, Texas. He had just been released from the hospital and had promised to call his mother upon his release.
A investigation was opened the next day when he failed to report for work and a search was commenced.
His mother, brother and aunt flew to Texas to assist in the search .
This memorial will be updated as new information is received.
_____
Sgt. Elder Neves Fernandes, 23, of Brockton, died Tuesday, August 25, 2020, in Temple, Texas. He was the beloved son of Ailina (Neves) Fernandes and Eugenio Fernandes.
Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Saturday, September 5th at 9:00AM followed by a funeral mass in St. Edith Stein Parish, 71 East Main St., Brockton at 10:30AM. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home on Friday 4:00PM-8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Sgt. Elder Fernandes Scholarship Fund, Harborone#1101476636 C/O Cape Verdean Association of Brockton, 525 North Montello St., Brockton, MA 02301.
Contributor: Breadlady45 from Chicago (46603826) • [email protected]
by: Patrick Cunningham, The Associated Press
Posted: Aug 26, 2020 / 06:20 AM CDT / Updated: Aug 26, 2020 / 06:20 AM CDT
KILLEEN, Texas (KETK/AP) – The body of a third missing soldier from Fort Hood was found roughly 30 miles from the base, according to police late Tuesday.
Sgt. Elder Fernandes was identified after being found near some railroad tracks, according to the statement. According to an AP report, local police say that foul play is not suspected.
Natalie Khawam, who is representing the Fernandes family, said Army police told family members about the discovery late Tuesday night. She said the body was found hanging in a tree.
Fernandes' backpack was with him, Khawam said, and police found the 23-year-old man's driver's license inside.
He was reported missing from the base back on August 19 after being last seen on the 17th when a superior officer dropped him off at his home. Fernandes had been transferred after reporting sexual abuse.
"I am saddened that another soldier who served the country has been destroyed by sexual assault and sexual harassment and this toxic culture in the military that exists," said Khawam, who is also representing the family of Vanessa Guillen, another Fort Hood soldier who went missing and who was found dead. The Army said a fellow soldier killed her.
U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in a visit to Fort Hood earlier this month that the Central Texas base had some of the highest numbers of sexual assault, harassment and murder. He ordered an independent probe of Fort Hood in July, after authorities said Guillen was slain.∼The body of Sgt. Elder Fernandes , a Massachusetts native, was found hanging from a tree in Temple, Bell County, Texas.
It was determined that he had been deceased for some period of time.
His backpack was found with him with his driver's license inside.
His automobile was also found at the scene.
He was born in the Republic of Cabo Verde, which is a island 385 miles off the coast of Africa.
He was a 2015 graduate of Brockton High School and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade.
He was last seen by members of his unit on August 17, 2020 at a residence in Killeen, Texas. He had just been released from the hospital and had promised to call his mother upon his release.
A investigation was opened the next day when he failed to report for work and a search was commenced.
His mother, brother and aunt flew to Texas to assist in the search .
This memorial will be updated as new information is received.
_____
Sgt. Elder Neves Fernandes, 23, of Brockton, died Tuesday, August 25, 2020, in Temple, Texas. He was the beloved son of Ailina (Neves) Fernandes and Eugenio Fernandes.
Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Saturday, September 5th at 9:00AM followed by a funeral mass in St. Edith Stein Parish, 71 East Main St., Brockton at 10:30AM. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home on Friday 4:00PM-8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Sgt. Elder Fernandes Scholarship Fund, Harborone#1101476636 C/O Cape Verdean Association of Brockton, 525 North Montello St., Brockton, MA 02301.
Contributor: Breadlady45 from Chicago (46603826) • [email protected]
Missing Fort Hood soldier's body found, foul play not suspected
by: Patrick Cunningham, The Associated Press
Posted: Aug 26, 2020 / 06:20 AM CDT / Updated: Aug 26, 2020 / 06:20 AM CDT
KILLEEN, Texas (KETK/AP) – The body of a third missing soldier from Fort Hood was found roughly 30 miles from the base, according to police late Tuesday.
Sgt. Elder Fernandes was identified after being found near some railroad tracks, according to the statement. According to an AP report, local police say that foul play is not suspected.
Natalie Khawam, who is representing the Fernandes family, said Army police told family members about the discovery late Tuesday night. She said the body was found hanging in a tree.
Fernandes' backpack was with him, Khawam said, and police found the 23-year-old man's driver's license inside.
He was reported missing from the base back on August 19 after being last seen on the 17th when a superior officer dropped him off at his home. Fernandes had been transferred after reporting sexual abuse.
"I am saddened that another soldier who served the country has been destroyed by sexual assault and sexual harassment and this toxic culture in the military that exists," said Khawam, who is also representing the family of Vanessa Guillen, another Fort Hood soldier who went missing and who was found dead. The Army said a fellow soldier killed her.
U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in a visit to Fort Hood earlier this month that the Central Texas base had some of the highest numbers of sexual assault, harassment and murder. He ordered an independent probe of Fort Hood in July, after authorities said Guillen was slain.∼The body of Sgt. Elder Fernandes , a Massachusetts native, was found hanging from a tree in Temple, Bell County, Texas.
It was determined that he had been deceased for some period of time.
His backpack was found with him with his driver's license inside.
His automobile was also found at the scene.
He was born in the Republic of Cabo Verde, which is a island 385 miles off the coast of Africa.
He was a 2015 graduate of Brockton High School and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade.
He was last seen by members of his unit on August 17, 2020 at a residence in Killeen, Texas. He had just been released from the hospital and had promised to call his mother upon his release.
A investigation was opened the next day when he failed to report for work and a search was commenced.
His mother, brother and aunt flew to Texas to assist in the search .
This memorial will be updated as new information is received.
_____
Sgt. Elder Neves Fernandes, 23, of Brockton, died Tuesday, August 25, 2020, in Temple, Texas. He was the beloved son of Ailina (Neves) Fernandes and Eugenio Fernandes.
Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Saturday, September 5th at 9:00AM followed by a funeral mass in St. Edith Stein Parish, 71 East Main St., Brockton at 10:30AM. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home on Friday 4:00PM-8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Sgt. Elder Fernandes Scholarship Fund, Harborone#1101476636 C/O Cape Verdean Association of Brockton, 525 North Montello St., Brockton, MA 02301.
Contributor: Breadlady45 from Chicago (46603826) • [email protected]
by: Patrick Cunningham, The Associated Press
Posted: Aug 26, 2020 / 06:20 AM CDT / Updated: Aug 26, 2020 / 06:20 AM CDT
KILLEEN, Texas (KETK/AP) – The body of a third missing soldier from Fort Hood was found roughly 30 miles from the base, according to police late Tuesday.
Sgt. Elder Fernandes was identified after being found near some railroad tracks, according to the statement. According to an AP report, local police say that foul play is not suspected.
Natalie Khawam, who is representing the Fernandes family, said Army police told family members about the discovery late Tuesday night. She said the body was found hanging in a tree.
Fernandes' backpack was with him, Khawam said, and police found the 23-year-old man's driver's license inside.
He was reported missing from the base back on August 19 after being last seen on the 17th when a superior officer dropped him off at his home. Fernandes had been transferred after reporting sexual abuse.
"I am saddened that another soldier who served the country has been destroyed by sexual assault and sexual harassment and this toxic culture in the military that exists," said Khawam, who is also representing the family of Vanessa Guillen, another Fort Hood soldier who went missing and who was found dead. The Army said a fellow soldier killed her.
U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in a visit to Fort Hood earlier this month that the Central Texas base had some of the highest numbers of sexual assault, harassment and murder. He ordered an independent probe of Fort Hood in July, after authorities said Guillen was slain.∼The body of Sgt. Elder Fernandes , a Massachusetts native, was found hanging from a tree in Temple, Bell County, Texas.
It was determined that he had been deceased for some period of time.
His backpack was found with him with his driver's license inside.
His automobile was also found at the scene.
He was born in the Republic of Cabo Verde, which is a island 385 miles off the coast of Africa.
He was a 2015 graduate of Brockton High School and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade.
He was last seen by members of his unit on August 17, 2020 at a residence in Killeen, Texas. He had just been released from the hospital and had promised to call his mother upon his release.
A investigation was opened the next day when he failed to report for work and a search was commenced.
His mother, brother and aunt flew to Texas to assist in the search .
This memorial will be updated as new information is received.
_____
Sgt. Elder Neves Fernandes, 23, of Brockton, died Tuesday, August 25, 2020, in Temple, Texas. He was the beloved son of Ailina (Neves) Fernandes and Eugenio Fernandes.
Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Saturday, September 5th at 9:00AM followed by a funeral mass in St. Edith Stein Parish, 71 East Main St., Brockton at 10:30AM. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home on Friday 4:00PM-8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Sgt. Elder Fernandes Scholarship Fund, Harborone#1101476636 C/O Cape Verdean Association of Brockton, 525 North Montello St., Brockton, MA 02301.
Contributor: Breadlady45 from Chicago (46603826) • [email protected]
