SPC Vanessa Guillen was a soldier assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment on Fort Hood as a unit armorer. She was reported missing on April 22, 2020 after a wellness check was conducted by her leadership. Obviously, Guillen was not found during this search, but the soldiers that conducted the check-up found that her military ID, her debit card, and her keys were left unattended in her arms room. Her unit reported her as AWOL (absent without leave) and not much more was heard from the unit or local media until June 30, 2020.
Vanessa’s partial remains were
discovered just outside of Fort Hood in the neighboring town of Killeen, Texas.
She was found dismembered, burned, and buried in a shallow grave. She was
allegedly killed by another member of her unit, SPC Aaron Robinson. It is
reported that Robinson allegedly bludgeoned Guillen to death with a hammer
before putting her inside of a large “tough-box” and burying her next to the
Leon River. Unfortunately, for the proceedings of justice, Robinson shot and
killed himself on July 1, 2020 when he was approached by the police for
questioning. However, his girlfriend, Cecily Anne Aguilar has been arrested and
charged with aiding Robinson in this atrocity. According to an affidavit, Aguilar
assisted Robinson with the dismemberment and burial of Vanessa’s body.
Prior to her death Vanessa had
reported that she had been sexually assaulted by members of her chain of
command. According to Guillen’s family her accusations were met with silence. There
was no investigation initiated and Vanessa was concerned for her safety. It was
not until months after her initial disappearance that the Army’s own CID
(Criminal Investigation Division) would finally become involved. This was primarily
due to Vanessa’s family sharing the story of their missing loved one over social
media. The Guillen’s feel as though CID had not placed nearly enough efforts into
finding Vanessa. Especially, considering her prior accusations of assault.
After Vanessa’s remains were found
the Guillen’s took measures to ensure that this kind of unbelievable fate would
never befall any other service members. First, they have requested a congressional
investigation into her death which would remove Army CID from this case. Second,
the passing of the proposed #IamVanessaGuillen Bill, would allow service members
the possibility of reporting instances of sexual assault to independent avenues,
that are not involved with the military. Therefor potentially removing CID from
future mishandlings of reported and documented abuse.
Because of her families persistent and
virtuous pursuit for justice, Vanessa’s story has finally reached far beyond
the boundaries of Fort Hood and Killeen, Texas. From the Washington Post all
the way to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Where a group of local protestors gathered
in Acacia Park to honor Vanessa by demanding a change in the procedural handlings
of sexual abuse in the military, while also bringing awareness to the missing and
murdered Indigenous women epidemic.
The protesters were comprised of members
from several different groups to include, but not limited to: Operation 719,
Pikes Peak Women for Liberation, Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence, The
Colorado Autonomous Brown Berets, and Our Sister’s Keeper Movement.
Nicki Gerardo spoke to me regarding
her involvement with the, Our Sister’s Keeper Movement. At March Air Force Base
in California, as a soldier in the National Gurad, Nicki claims that she was a
victim of sexual assault. She stated that her, “attacker was never apprehended.
His unit claimed that he was never there the night it happened.” Nicki disputes
the other units claim of her attackers absence that particular evening, by
explaining, “He was still in uniform. I still have a pretty decent memory of
who it was.” Much like what happened to Vanessa, Nicki’s claims were not given
the time of day. She says that is the pattern of behavior that she wants to see
changed as a representative of Our Sister’s Keeper Movement. Her group believes
in providing service members who have been sexually assaulted with the ability
to remain anonymous from their chains of command while they seek outside
investigation.
“Why is there no outrage about this?”
Another protester, Jennifer Yancey asked during her interview. Yancey, a twenty-year
Army veteran explained that she was confounded as to why a town such as
Colorado Springs that is surrounded by five military bases, has not been more
vocal about Vanessa’s death. She also wanted to ensure that the public understands,
“This is not an attempt or platform to bash the military.” She explains that
the motivation behind this gathering is to promote a more conducive climate for
service members that have been assaulted and are afraid. Jennifer stated, “We want
everyone to know that those who share their voices here: you are heard, you are
believed, you are seen, you are supported.” In a time where there are
reasonable levels of uncertainty for many victims that wish to come forward, Yancey
explains that they want to be “the support their chains of command should have been.”
The overall climate of the protest
was peaceful and heartfelt. Brave men and women, some prior service and some civilian,
took turns at the microphone sharing personal and detailed accounts of their
abuse. Following the testimonies, a group of Native Americans and members of
the Colorado Autonomous Brown Beret’s put on a spectacular performance in the
honor of Vanessa, and so many other victims of the missing and murdered Indigenous
women epidemic. Finally, the group began marching and chanting, “Say her name!”
and “Vanessa” in what resonated as a haunting echo, that carried itself throughout
the downtown area of Colorado Springs. The protesters concluded their march in
front of a large mural entitled, “Take Back the Power” by Gregg Deal. Deal is a
local artist who painted an enormous portrait of his daughter with a red handprint
covering her mouth. He explains the pieces meaning, in his own words that he
left on the wall next the art; “This mural raises questions about the inherent invisibility
of indigenous people, specifically referencing the abnormally high rate at
which Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit individuals go missing or are
murdered.”