Editor’s note: This article was updated on Thursday, October 24, 2024, with new information from the Army regarding developments in the investigation.

Army officials detained a person of interest in the death Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri soldier who missed formation Monday and later died found dead.

Postal officials said military police issued an order. missing person alert Monday for Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23. Later that night, investigators found her body in a postal dumpster, authorities said Thursday.

“This is a tragedy, something we never want to happen,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, chief of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood. “We never want the family or the unit to have to endure that.”

The military is investigating Roque’s death as a homicide.

Beck said Roque’s body was found in a garbage container next to where the base soldiers were staying.

Beck and other officials assured a press conference on Thursday that there was no threat to the public related to this incident.

An Army investigator who spoke at the news conference did not say whether the person in question was a military member or civilian. The official did not share the cause of death until the autopsy results were available.

In an earlier statement, Beck noted the losses felt by the sharing community with Roque’s death.

“Sergeant. Roque was a daughter, sister, friend and soldier who chose to bravely and honorably serve our country,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, chief of both the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood. “His passing has left a tremendous void on our team, and while there are no words that can ease the pain, we continue to provide care, resources and support to those affected during this difficult time.”

The installation’s public affairs officials issued a statement detailing Roque’s background and deferred further comment to the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Army CID is currently handling the case and declines to comment on ongoing investigations in line with policy.

Roque, who is originally from Ligonier, Indiana, enlisted in the military in 2020 and graduated from basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, according to the statement.

He served as a bridge crew member and mining dog handler with the 5th Engineer Battalion’s K9 Detachment.

Roque’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.