Bay Area congressman joins call for investigation into Vanessa Guillen’s death
In the wake of the death of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen, several congressional representatives including Rep. John Garamendi, D-Solano, signed a letter addressed to the acting inspector general calling for an investigation into Guillen’s death.
“Vanessa Guillen’s death is an unimaginable tragedy, and she and her family deserve justice,” Garamendi, chair of the Armed Forces Subcommittee on Readiness, said in a press statement. “I’ve joined 87 of my colleagues in demanding the Department of Defense Inspector General conduct a thorough and independent investigation into SPC Guillen’s death to ensure the Guillen family gets justice for Vanessa and that this never happens again.”
Guillen was a 20-year-old Houston native who served as a private first class in the U.S. Army. She was last seen at Fort Hood on April 22, and her remains were found near the Leon River on June 30. They were positively identified as Guillen’s remains five days later. She was posthumously promoted to specialist.
Two suspects were apprehended in the case: Cecily Anne Aguilar and Aaron Robinson, the latter of whom died by suicide.
Garamendi and 86 other representatives signed a letter primarily written by Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, to Sean O’Donnell, acting inspector general, requesting a full investigation into Guillen’s death.
In particular, the representatives are calling for an investigation into the circumstances leading up to Guillen’s killing.
“Before her disappearance and murder, SPC Guillen confided in her family that she felt unsafe in Fort Hood due to experiences with sexual harassment, which she did not report out of fear for her personal safety,” Garcia wrote. “The U.S. military has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of the young women and men that take an oath to defend our country. In SPC Guillen’s case, she was tragically failed by the Army.”
Similar requests have also been made by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
“We are hopeful that a full and independent investigation by the DoD Inspector General’s Office will begin to provide the Guillen family with the answers and justice they seek,” Garcia wrote.