July 07, 2020

Lou Correa Joins Rep. Sylvia Garcia, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members and Others To Request DoD Inspector General Conduct an Independent Investigation into Specialist Vanessa Guillen’s Case

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46) joined Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and 86 Members of Congress to send a letter requesting the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General, Sean O’Donnell, conduct an independent investigation into Fort Hood’s handling of Specialist (SPC) Vanessa Guillen’s case.

 In the letter, Members said, “We are deeply disturbed by recent developments in the case of Specialist (SPC) Vanessa Guillen’s disappearance and murder. We strongly support Rep. Jackie Speier and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s call for the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General’s Office to conduct a full and independent investigation into SPC Guillen’s disappearance and murder.”

Rep. Lou Correa said, “This young woman did something we ask so many young people to do—step up for their nation and serve. Yet, in her time of need, the Army failed her. In the wake of her murder, countless servicewomen have stepped forward to expose the trauma, and sexual assault women in the military are forced to endured while serving their nation. We need an immediate independent investigation into how the Army failed Vanessa, and countless servicewomen like her.”

Background: SPC Vanessa Guillen was a Houston native and a 20-year old Latina soldier that was last seen in Fort Hood on April 22nd, 2020. Human remains were found near Leon River in Bell County, Texas, on June 30th, 2020. Since then, one suspect has been apprehended by law enforcement, and the other committed suicide when he confronted. The human remains found last week were positively identified as SPC Vanessa Guillen yesterday, July 5th, 2020. 

The final letter can be seen here.

###

Rep. Lou Correa represents California’s 46th Congressional District. He serves as Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and as the Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Read more here.