HOUSTON Gloria Guillen s eyes filled with sadness and tears as she described how her late daughter, 20-year-old Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen, was her mirror image, the resemblance stretching far beyond looks into personality and character.
Thursday was the first anniversary of her daughter s slaying at Fort Hood, a death that through the family s activism sparked a reckoning at the post over flawed leadership and a long-standing toxic culture that allowed violence, sexual abuse and misconduct to thrive.
The anniversary, which came with a week of tributes from military leaders and politicians, reminded Gloria Guillen again of how they were two pieces formed into one. And more painful, she said, was the reminder that her second piece is gone forever.
Guillen, 20, was reported missing April 22, 2020, and her charred, dismembered remains were found July 1. Federal investigators said fellow Fort Hood soldier Spc. Aaron Robinson, who died by suicide during the investigation, killed her. Guillen s family says they believe Robinson also sexually harassed her, but the Army says they have no evidence of harassment from Robinson.
Guillen s case became a rallying cry for military sexual assault survivors to denounce their experiences, and that movement has prompted calls for cultural change within the military from Texas to Washington.
Blanco s bill would also establish a sexual assault response coordinator outside the chain of command to provide members of the military in Texas who report accusations of sexual violence with help and resources, whether or not the report is filed with law enforcement or inside the military. It is one of multiple bills submitted to the Texas Legislature this session in honor of Guillen.
Texas Lawmakers Target Sexual Assault After Death of Fort Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillen nbcdfw.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nbcdfw.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
#IAmVanessaGuillen bill delayed as Houston soldier s family mourns one year since her disappearance
“My sister is no joke. My sister is a human being. She deserves respect, honor because she was a U.S. soldier, Lupe Guillen, Vanessa’s younger sister said. Author: David Gonzalez (KHOU) Updated: 6:17 PM CDT April 22, 2021
HOUSTON, Texas A year after Vanessa Guillen’s disappearance cries for justice are louder than ever.
Most of Vanessa’s family was in the nation’s capital on the one year anniversary of her disappearance demanding action on the #IAmVanessaGuillen bill.
“My sister is no joke. My sister is a human being. She deserves respect, honor because she was a U.S. soldier, Lupe Guillen, Vanessa’s younger sister said.
Vanessa Guillen s family in D.C. to mark one year since her disappearance and death
FOX 26 Reporter Maria Salazar has more as Houstonians are remembering Specialist Vanessa Guillen one year later.
Vanessa Guillen s family was in Washington, D.C. to mark one year since her disappearance and death.
They gathered with their attorney, Natalie Khawam, at the U.S. Navy Memorial just after 11 a.m. Right now at this time, a year ago exactly, Vanessa s body was being put into a tough box, said Khawam.
On June 30, her body was found near the Leon River in Bell County.
A fellow solider, Aaron Robinson, was identified as the suspect in her murder. He killed himself when authorities tried to arrest him.