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10 Things You Need to Know About the Vanessa Guillen Case

When Specialist Vanessa Guillen disappeared from Fort Hood in Texas, on April 22, we all got a glimpse into a tragedy that involved the military, covered up sexual harassment, and the senseless, horrible murder of a 20-year-old Chicana.


Movements soon formed to first find the missing Guillen, and then to obtain justice when her remains were found near Fort Hood. We want to keep this case front and center. Not only because those responsible for her murder have to be held accountable, but because deeply necessary changes should be made in the military. Transparency must be encouraged and pushed for and proper policies about sexual harassment and the treatment of women must be put in place by our government. Here are ten things everyone should know about the Vanessa Guillen case.

Vanessa Guillen Was in the Army

Hailing from Houston, Texas, Vanessa Guillen, according to the New York Times had an interest in the military since childhood. Although her mother, Gloria had reservations about Vanessa joining the Army, Vanessa enlisted at the age of 18, in June 2018. She was trained as a small arms and artillery repairer, known in Army as a 91F, and stationed at Fort Hood, in Texas.

She Complained of Sexual Harassment

Vanessa Guillen’s family stated that she confided in them that she was being harassed while serving the country in the U.S. Army. She detailed that a soldier walked in on her while she was showering, and another vulgarly insulted her in Spanish. It has also been reported that Vanessa would be watched while going on runs near or on the base.

Vanessa Disappeared

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Please Read | Share : Today,is almost two months (60 days) without absolute answers-whereabouts of missing soldier, Vanessa Guillen. Before she went missing on Fort Hood Military Base, she was being sexually harassed on base by a superior. Until, two months later, literally two months ! It took the CID to conduct an investigation into the case of sexual harassment. “No credible information” clearly her mother said repeatedly that a superior harassed, Vanessa Guillen with words and actions. The superior used to stock and talk to Vanessa in ways no women should be disrespected in ! The Guillen Family has not received no information about Vanessa, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a soldier, a fighter and so much more ! Her family needs and deserves answers and she deserves to be found ! No mother, father, sister, or brother should be passing through this situation, just put yourself in their position. There is many ways to help: share it, post it, tweet it, hashtag it, follow media pages, share the news articles, protest, or donate. Make the hashtag trend !The previous list just takes seconds to do so, so please help us. Do not forget her, do not forget the ones who risk their life for the nation, for us ! This brave lady deserves awareness, many already have shared their story #iamvanessaguillen about how Vanessa inspired them to share their similar situation while being in service. We need more to speak up about their situation, do not be afraid, because we have your back, just join us ! Please keep sharing our posts on every media page and say her name ! We will not stop until we Find Vanessa Guillen ! We will not stop until we obtain justice ! We will not stop until we obtain answers ! Twitter : Find Vanessa G Facebook : Find Vanessa Guillen #FindVanessaGuillen #JusticeForVanessa #IamVanessaGuillen

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On April 22, Vanessa Guillen disappeared from Fort Hood. She was last seen at 1:00 pm, in the parking lot of her unit. Items including her ID card, barracks card, bank card, barracks key, and wallet were left behind in her workplace, the armory. Vanessa was reported missing to the United States Army Criminal Division on April 23.

A Social Movement to Find Vanessa

The search for Vanessa Guillen quickly blew up online, being posted and reposted in the form of photos, artwork, and calls for justice on Instagram, Twitter, and beyond. Petitions popped up that called for action and for transparency from the Army. The Latinx community made sure Vanessa’s disappearance was continuously being thrust into the public eye, and in front of military officials, government officials, and the President.

Vanessa Guillen’s Remains Found

On June 30, the partial remains of Vanessa Guillen were found near the Leon River in Texas, about 20 miles east of Fort Hood, which is located in Killeen. The discovery put an end to the search for the private first class soldier, who was posthumously promoted to the rank of specialist, and continued the quest for justice for her.

The Investigation

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Congressional investigations not only help legislators make better policy decisions, but they are central to the system of checks and balances. Investigatory hearings can uncover presidential abuses of power and corruption, such as the Teapot Dome scandal in the 1920s or Watergate in the 1970s. 3 congressional investigative powers: These include authorization, appropriations, investigative, and legislative hearings by standing committees; which is specialized investigations by select committees; and reviews and studies by congressional support agencies and staff. #vanessaguillen #justice4vanessaguillen #justiceforvanessaguillen #justiceforvanessaguillen🙏🇲🇽 #iamvanessaguillen #wearevanessaguillen #findvanessaguillen #justiciaparavanessaguillen #ripvanessaguillen

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On June 18, the 3rd Calvary Regiment commander initiated an investigation into Vanessa Guillen’s sexual harassment claims. Her disappearance was investigated by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID), the Killeen Police Department, the Belton Police Department the FBI with the Bell County’s Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshall Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Texas Rangers in support.

A Suspect Commits Suicide, Another Arrested


The same day that Vanessa Guillen’s remains were found, Cecily Aguilar, the estranged wife of a soldier at Fort Hood was interviewed by authorities. Aguilar was dating Aaron David Robinson another Fort Hood soldier, and she mentioned to them that he spoke to her about killing a female soldier at the base. A taped call confirmed Robinson’s involvement, but the following day, as law enforcement officials approached him, Robinson shot himself. Cecily Aguilar was arrested for three counts of conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Protests for Justice for Vanessa Guillen

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDeYpvllFhW/

Marches in cities including Houston, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Phoenix allowed the public to unite to demand that Vanessa Guillen receive justice, instead of becoming another statistic, another unsolved murder at Fort Hood, and another case of sexual harassment in the military that gets swept under the rug. Runs, petitions, and calls to contact political leaders also have served as part of the movement.

The Military’s #MeToo Movement

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDeVB-WJtPg/

Vanessa Guillen’s harassment, disappearance, and death gave many other women in the military the courage and need to speak up on their own experiences of mistreatment so that this doesn’t happen again. It is seen as the #MeToo movement of the military, also hashtagged #IAmVanessaGuillen. The secrecy and cover-ups of the Army, and other branches of the military are now rightfully being spotlighted.

Vanessa’s Mother Meets with Trump to Discuss Bill

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Today, July 30th, The Guillen Family met with Trump at the White House to discuss the #iamVanessaGuillen bill. . The #iamVanessaGuillen bill would allow active duty members to file harassment and assault claims to a third-party agency instead of through their chain of command. . This is powerful on so many levels; a mother’s roar reached them this far. Her fight continues and her love for her daughter will last forever. She is a fierce mama! A mama I wish I had fighting, loving and supporting on my side. She IS, Mama Guillen, the Mama of those in need of one. *🌟🌟🌟REPOST AND SHARE THIS HISTORIC MOMENT. 🌟🌟🌟 . #vanessaguillen #justiceforvanessa #justiceforvanessaguillen #iamvanessaguillenbill #justice #motherhood #love #igdaily #whitehouse #latinxartist #latinosunidos #findvanessaguillen #latinos #mexican #mexicanos #vivamexico #vivalaraza

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On July 30, Vanessa Guillen’s mother Gloria met with President Trump at the White House, to discuss the Vanessa Guillen bill. The bill would create a system where victims of sexual harassment in the military could report to a neutral third party, instead their report going through their chain of command. This would allow for an impartial process instead of bias, and for things to actually change in the military, rather than being suppressed.