Congress has launched its own investigation into alleged sexual assault cases, disappearances, deaths and the leadership at Fort Hood base in Texas.

Memorial Set Up In Austin For Murdered Fort Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillen
(Photo : Photo by Sergio Flores/Getty Images)
People pay respects at a mural of Vanessa Guillen, a soldier based at nearby Fort Hood on July 6, 2020 in Austin, Texas.

The deaths of Fort Hood soldiers prompted the congressional investigation, as announced by two subcommittee leaders Tuesday.

According to  Associated Press, there are a total of 28 soldiers who died at Fort Hood this year. Officials counted five homicides, as well as accidents, suicides, and other cases still under investigation.

Reps. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts and Jackie Speier of California sent a letter to Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy for the investigation. In it, they asked for documents and information on the deaths.

Lynch is the chair of the Subcommittee on National Security while Speier leads the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

As said in the letter, both subcommittees will hold a joint investigation on the recent deaths. They said they want to determine if these deaths may be linked to the leadership, discipline, and morale deficiencies in the army base.

The letter also noted that there are 129 felonies committed, on average, within Fort Hood. The data is based on the years 2014 through 2019. These felonies include homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Compelling Soldier Death Cases

The members of Congress also cited recent deaths, like that of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. Federal officials said she was bludgeoned to death at the Texas base by a fellow soldier, Pvt. Gregory Morales.

Morales was found dead in June during the search for Guillen. He was reported missing in August 2019.

The deaths of Pvt. Mejhor Morta and Sgt. Elder Fernandes were also listed in the letter. Other deaths noted were those of Pvt. Brandon Scott Rosecrans, Spc. Freddy Delacruz Jr. and Spc. Shelby Tyler Jones.

There were reports alleging that Guillen and Fernandes were sexually abused or harassed before they died.

According to Texas Tribune, the Army has until October 1 to hand in the requested information.

Meanwhile, Fox News asked for a comment from Fort Hood but had not yet received word as of Tuesday.

History of Violence

In the letter, it was noted that McCarthy said in August that Fort Hood had "highest, the most cases for sexual assault and harassment and murders for our entire formation of the US Army."

Both Congressmen said they would report the conditions that may have taken part in the soldiers' death. They added that they also seek justice on behalf of the soldiers and their families.

They recognize that the families may have felt like they were "failed by a military system and culture."

Guillen's family has rallied from Texas to the White House to call for an investigation in Congress. Lawyer to the family, Natalie Khawam, said she is thankful that Congress agreed to their demands.

"Our soldiers and their families deserve the truth," she said.

Fort Hood Changes Leaders

The Army had recently changed leadership. Early this month, it was announced that Maj. Gen. John Richardson IV would be Fort Hood's new acting senior commander.

They also announced that Gen. John Murray of Army Futures Command will lead an investigation into the base's leadership.

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