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Body of Another Fort Hood Soldier Found Near Base Following Killing Of Vanessa Guillen
Army officials have not said if they suspect foul play in the death of Pvt. Mejhor Morta.
The remains of yet another Fort Hood soldier has been found in a lake not far from the military instillation — the latest in a series of strange deaths and disappearances of members of the military there.
The body of Pvt. Mejhor Morta, 26, was discovered on Friday “in the vicinity of Stillhouse Lake” on Friday, Fort Hood announced in a Tuesday press release. Stillhouse Lake is located about 15 miles away from Fort Hood.
It’s unclear how Morta, a Florida man who enlisted in the Army in September, died or if his death is being deemed suspicious. The Bell County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating and has not immediately returned Oxygen.com’s request for comment.
Morta’s death comes on the heels of two other soldiers’ remains being found in the area in the past month — both apparent cases of foul play.
The skeletal remains of missing Fort Hood Pvt. Gregory Morales, 24, were found in a field in Killeen on June 21, CBS Dallas-Fort Worth reported. Fort Hood is located in Killeen. Morales, who was born and raised in Oklahoma, was last seen driving outside the base last August, according to a press release from Fort Hood. Investigators suspect foul play in his death.
Soon after that, on July 1, the dismembered remains of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen — a Fort Hood soldier who went missing in the spring — were discovered in Bell County, about 20 miles away from the base. Investigators believe that U.S. Army Specialist Aaron Robinson, 20, attacked and killed Guillen.
His girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, later told investigators that Robinson killed Guillen with a hammer. Aguilar then helped him dispose of Guillen's body, authorities alleged. Robinson died by suicide on July 1 after being confronted by authorities, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Texas.
Aguilar has been charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence, to which she has pleaded not guilty.
Officials have not linked the three deaths.
"I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones,” Lt. Col. Neil Armstrong said Tuesday, regarding Morta's death. “My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. Private Morta was a great Trooper and this loss is felt by every member within our formation.”
Among the awards and decorations Morta received, he earned the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, according to the Associated Press.
