‘Red Table Talk: The Estefans’ Sit Down with Vanessa Guillén’s Family

Red Table Talk: The Estefans has tackled serious topics including divorce, coming out, and mental health but for its fourth episode it’s breaking away from the Estefan family. They’ll be joined by the family of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, including her mother Gloria Guillén and her sisters, Mayra and Lupe, to discuss the tragic circumstances involving Vanessa’s death at the base in Fort Hood, Texas.

Vanessa Guillén, 20, was last seen alive on April 22 and her remains were found near the base on June 30. The family publicly shared their distress at not knowing where she was for nearly two months revealing Vanessa had been sexually harassed. Vanessa’s heartbroken mother sits down for a one-on-one conversation with Gloria (in Spanish) and reveals why she feels there is more to the story surrounding her beloved daughter’s death. Vanessa’s sisters share discuss the important work they’re doing to ensure this never happens again through the “I Am Vanessa Guillén Act”. The bipartisan bill aimed at creating a more confidential reporting system. It would also make sexual harassment within the military a punishable crime and permit sexual harassment or assault survivors to file claims within the Department of Defense for compensation.

In a sneak peek of the episode Gloria sits down with Gloria Guillén where she shares the moments she began to notice a change in her daughter. “You’re not eating right, you’re skinny and seem depressed. Tell me the truth,” Gloria shared about the moment she confronted Vanessa. “She said, ‘okay I’ll tell you but don’t get upset. I don’t like Fort Hood. They’re very bad.”

Following the discovery of Guillén’s remains police moved to arrest Spc. Aaron Robinson, 20, who shot and killed himself. Suspect Cecily Aguilar — who was dating Robinson — been charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Texas. Aguilar confessed that Robinson beat Guillén to death using a hammer and they later dismembered her body and set it on fire before burying it in three separate places, according to the affidavit. Aguilar pleaded not guilty and is due in court Nov. 30. This week Fort Hood announced that after an investigation they concluded that Guillén’s death was “in the line of duty”  and the family was entitled to compensation and that Vanessa would get a funeral with full military honors.

The upcoming fourth episode of Red Table Talk: The Estefans, premieres this Wednesday, October 28 at 9  a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET on Facebook Watch.