FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas – Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) leadership welcomed Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, congressional staff members from Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman John Carter, Congressman Roger Williams, and members of Pfc. Vanessa Guillén’s family here June 23 to discuss details of the ongoing investigation of Pfc. Guillén’s disappearance.
The in-person visit follows multiple in-person and virtual meetings between Garcia, the Guillén family, and unit leadership.
“I want to thank Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) for welcoming me and the Guillén family today,” said Representative Sylvia Garcia. “I still have many questions after my visit, but I appreciate their commitment to finding Vanessa and willingness to continue working with us until Vanessa is found.”
During the visit, Col. Ralph Overland, 3rd CR commander, and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division agents updated Garcia and the Guillén family on the most recent searches and status of the investigation, and also showed them Vanessa’s work area and the parking lot where she was last seen.
“We appreciate the opportunity to provide the Guillen family, Congresswoman Garcia, and other congressional delegates a comprehensive update,” Overland said. “They are Vanessa’s family, and Vanessa is part of our family. We all have the same goal—to find Vanessa and bring her home. The Regiment is fully committed to this and we will not stop until we find her.”
The 20-year-old Vanessa Guillén was last seen April 22 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, hereand has not been heard from since that date. Her car keys, barracks room key, identification card and wallet were later found in the armory room where she was working earlier in the day. She was last observed in the parking lot wearing a black t-shirt and purple fitness-type pants.
Other Congressional members provided the following statements on their impressions of the meeting.
Senator Ted Cruz
“I want to thank Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) leadership for briefing my staff on the investigation into Pfc. Vanessa Guillén’s disappearance,” said Senator Ted Cruz. “I hope we will have answers about what happened soon, and we will continue to provide any assistance we can.
Congressman John Carter
“The disappearance of Pfc. Vanessa Guillén is a heartbreaking situation, and our community is praying for her safe return,” said Representative John Carter. “I appreciate Ft. Hood for their ongoing efforts to keep me and my team updated on the extensive search for Pfc. Guillén. I will continue working with Representative Garcia and Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) to ensure that every effort persists to find Vanessa and bring her home.”
Congressman Roger Williams
“I want to thank Col. Ralph Overland and the Army Criminal Investigation Division agents for briefing us on the latest developments and efforts in the search for Pfc. Vanessa Guillen,” said Representative Roger Williams. “I continue to closely monitor the situation and communicate with Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) leadership as the investigation into her disappearance continues. My prayers are with the Guillén family and all of those working around the clock to bring one of our nation’s heroes home.”
CID is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for credible information leading to the whereabouts of Vanessa Guillén.
Persons with information can contact Army CID Special Agents at (254) 495-7767. They can also anonymously submit information at https://www.cid.army.mil/report-a-crime.html.
