Fort Hood has made headlines again for another death at the base just three years after the murder of Vanessa Guillen.
Private Second Class Ana Basalduaruiz was found dead shortly after her family said she had complained to them about sexual harassment by a higher-up at the base. According to KWTX the reports claim that her death is being investigated as a suicide, however, little information has been offered by Fort Hood.
“The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division officials have confirmed that, at this point in the investigation into the death of Pvt. Ana Basalduaruiz, no foul play is evident, and will remain under investigation,” Fort Hood said in a news statement.
Basalduaruiz was just 21 years old and had served for 15 months as a combat engineer at Fort Hood. She was planning to stay on for her contracted three years until she told her family that she was uncomfortable there.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Pvt. Ana Basalduaruiz, and we extend our sympathies to her father, mother, and her sister,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Sullivan, commander, 91st Engineer Battalion. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. She was an exceptional teammate that will truly be missed.”
Her father recalls the last time he spoke to his daughter on March 12, which was a Saturday. By Sunday she was unresponsive and he feared the worst.
Another tragic death has happened at Fort Hood. Pvt. Ana Basalduaruiz deserved to live freely without harassment and abuse. My heart goes out to her family and to all the women who were ignored or forgotten by a biased system that failed them. pic.twitter.com/58tgn8lOc8
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) March 16, 2023
“The next day [Monday March 13] I sent her messages and they didn’t reach her anymore, the delivered one no longer appeared and I went to look for her [satellite] location and then it appeared that she was, like, in a park inside the base and that was it. I just put a message to her that the one who was going to die was going to be me out of anguish, for not knowing anything about her,” said her dad.
Telemundo reports that by 11 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023, military personnel went to locate her dad at the California restaurant he worked at to notify him of the death of his child.
RELATED: Two Suspects Named After Vanessa Guillens Body Is Discovered Dismembered
Three Years Ago Vanessa Guillen’s Death At Fort Hood Sparked Outrage
Ana’s death comes just three years after Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen was killed in 2020 under horrific circumstances. Guillen’s death launched a huge investigation into sexual misconduct at Fort Hood.
Vanessa’s dismembered remains were found shortly after and she was bludgeoned to death. A day after her remains were identified, Spc. Aaron Robinson, 20, killed himself as authorities attempted to take him into custody.
Cecily Aguilar, 22, was also charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence in connection with Guillén’s death. Over 14 commanders and lower-level leaders were also fired or suspended after a Fort Hood investigation into the death found further the patterns of sexual assault, harassment, suicides, and murder at the Killeen, Texas Army post.
Every media outlet should be covering the tragic death of Pvt. Ana Basalduaruiz.
I am calling on Congress to launch an investigation into the ongoing workplace harassment being allowed at Fort Hood and circumstances surrounding her death. @HouseGOP#JusticeforAnaBasaldua
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) March 16, 2023
As of now, there is no further information on Ana’s death but investigators are still looking into it.