TX ELDER FERNANDES: Missing from Fort Hood, Killeen, TX - 17 Aug 2020 - Age 23 *Found Deceased*

Another Fort Hood soldier is missing. The Army asks for help.

Sgt. Elder Fernandes, 23, was last seen Monday afternoon when his staff sergeant dropped him off at his home, according to Killeen police.

www.nbcnews.com

Another Fort Hood soldier is missing. The Army asks for help.

The U.S. Army is asking for the public’s help in its search for another soldier missing from Fort Hood, Texas.

Army officials at Fort Hood issued a missing soldier alert Thursday night for Sgt. Elder Fernandes, 23.


"Our primary concern is for his health and well-being," the Army said in the alert.

Police in nearby Killeen, who spelled the missing soldier's last name as Fernandez, said he had been reported missing Wednesday. Family members told police he was last seen or heard from Monday afternoon when his staff sergeant dropped him off at his home in Killeen.

The soldier, whose family is originally from Cape Verde in West Africa, had been in the hospital for four or five days prior his disappearance, Ailiana Fernandes, Elder's mother, told NBC News. It's still unclear to her why was her son in a hospital in the first place.

Ailiana, who lives in Massachusetts, has traveled to Fort Hood to seek answers on her son's whereabouts. "As of right now, I'm not getting any answers," she said.

Fernandes is a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist with the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade at the Central Texas Army installation. He is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 133 pounds (60.33 kilograms). He was last seen wearing black Army physical training shorts and a T-shirt with red athletic shoes, according to Killeen police.




MEDIA - ELDER FERNANDES: Missing from Fort Hood, Killeen, TX since 17 Aug 2020 - Age 23

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Fort Hood soldier believed dead was happy until recently, family says

A body that authorities believe is that of Sergeant Elder Fernandes, 23, was found late Tuesday in Temple, according to local police.

www.cbsnews.com

Missing Fort Hood soldier's body found hanging in tree, family lawyer says

The body of a missing soldier is believed to have been found about 30 miles from Fort Hood, the Army base in Texas where he was stationed, police said Tuesday. Identification found with the body in Temple, Texas, indicates the man may be missing Fort Hood soldier Sergeant Elder Fernandes, according to a statement from local police. Forensic confirmation is pending.


Natalie Khawam, who is representing the Fernandes family, said Army police told family members about the discovery late Tuesday night. She said the body was found hanging in a tree.

Fernandes' backpack was with him, Khawam said, and police found the 23-year-old man's driver's license inside.

"I am saddened that another soldier who served the country has been destroyed by sexual assault and sexual harassment and this toxic culture in the military that exists," said Khawam, who is also representing the family of Vanessa Guillén, another Fort Hood soldier who went missing and who was found dead.

 

[Sllywbbt32]

Fort Hood soldier believed dead was happy until recently, family says

A body that authorities believe is that of Sergeant Elder Fernandes, 23, was found late Tuesday in Temple, according to local police.

www.cbsnews.com

Missing Fort Hood soldier's body found hanging in tree, family lawyer says

The body of a missing soldier is believed to have been found about 30 miles from Fort Hood, the Army base in Texas where he was stationed, police said Tuesday. Identification found with the body in Temple, Texas, indicates the man may be missing Fort Hood soldier Sergeant Elder Fernandes, according to a statement from local police. Forensic confirmation is pending.


Natalie Khawam, who is representing the Fernandes family, said Army police told family members about the discovery late Tuesday night. She said the body was found hanging in a tree.

Fernandes' backpack was with him, Khawam said, and police found the 23-year-old man's driver's license inside.

"I am saddened that another soldier who served the country has been destroyed by sexual assault and sexual harassment and this toxic culture in the military that exists," said Khawam, who is also representing the family of Vanessa Guillén, another Fort Hood soldier who went missing and who was found dead.

I hope they don't automatically assume suicide. I've read about other cases where people use it as a cover up after someone's already deceased (killed another way) t could also be something like him being forced at gunpoint. JMO

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I hope they don't automatically assume suicide. I've read about other cases where people use it as a cover up after someone's already deceased (killed another way) t could also be something like him being forced at gunpoint. JMO

Yeah. Especially considering the circumstances.
But either way, even if it was suicide, I still wouldn't discount someone "encouraging" him to do it. Even unintentionally. We know how male victims of sexual assault are treated and viewed. It's even worse in the military.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Unsubstantiated. Exactly what they said about Vanessa too.

Fort Hood confirms death of Sgt. Elder Fernandes, says sexual assault allegations were 'unsubstantiated'

Fort Hood confirmed Wednesday that Sgt. Elder Fernandes was found dead on August 25 in Temple. Fernandes, 23, was found near Lake Polk.

www.kcentv.com

Fort Hood confirms death of Sgt. Elder Fernandes, says sexual assault allegations were 'unsubstantiated'

"We are sickened by this tragedy that has happened one too many times. We are heartbroken for Elder Fernandes’s family," she wrote in the post. "We will not stop until we find out what happened to Elder. We demand a Congressional Investigation of Ft. Hood. We must protect our soldiers!"

"I'm sick and tired of this happening over and over again," Guillen's sister Lupe Guillen said at the press conference Wednesday. "How many more must die at fort hood for them to be held accountable, for a congressional investigation. How many more must die? How many more? How many more have to sexually harassed?"



Fort Hood confirmed Aug. 21 Fernandes was part of a sexual abuse investigation.

"The unit sexual assault response coordinator has been working closely with Sgt. Fernandes, ensuring he was aware of all his reporting, care, and victim advocacy options," Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, Fort Hood public affairs officer, said in a statement.

Khawam said on Facebook Fernandes was assaulted by his sergeant then bullied and hazed for reporting it. Fort Hood had not confirmed those claims.

Police said there's no indication of foul play and the investigation was ongoing. Officials also said Elder's family was notified and an autopsy was ordered.



Although Khawam said Fernandes was assaulted by his sergeant, CID said their investigation found the allegation to be unsubstantiated.

CID agent Damon Phelps said, "I can tell you that Sgt. Fernandes did report that he was sexually assaulted when somebody allegedly grabbed his buttocks. CID special agents fully investigated these allegations. Our investigation has been completed and is with the command and their legal team for further action if warranted. I can also share that the subject of the investigation took and passed a polygraph examination and we found no witnesses that could corroborate Sgt. Fernandes' allegations. there was a thorough legal review and the allegations were unsubstantiated."

Fort hood would not say who the subject of their investigation was.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Fort Hood Sgt. Elder Fernandes 'humiliated' after reporting sexual abuse, says family's lawyer

Leaders at the U.S. Army's Fort Hood created an environment that led to the death of Sgt. Elder Fernandes, his family's attorney says.

www.usatoday.com

Fort Hood Sgt. Elder Fernandes 'humiliated' after reporting sexual abuse, says family's lawyer

“They don’t know what happened – whether it was suicide or whether murder. But I’m gonna tell you, what they did to him, the blood on their hands, it’s a form of murder,” attorney Natalie Khawam said.

Khawam said that after Fernandes reported in May that he had been inappropriately touched by a male superior, he was transferred, and word spread within the new unit, leading to harassment, belittling, bullying and hazing.


A survey of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine personnel in 2018 found about 20,500 instances of unwanted sexual contact, a 38% increase from 2016. About 6% of women in the military endured some form of sexual assault, and almost 1% of men were victimized.

“He was humiliated, he was embarrassed, he couldn’t even tell his mom. He didn’t want to tell anyone,” Khawam said Wednesday. “He was afraid. He was ashamed by this.”


“According to his friends, since that happened, they kept harassing him,” she said. “The person he accused was following him. They were hazing him, torturing him, making his life impossible.”

On Aug. 17, Fort Hood leaders said Fernandes was dropped off at a residence in Killeen, Texas, after a weeklong stay at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. Isabel Fernandes said her nephew was hospitalized because he felt suicidal, and he promised to call his mother when he was released.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't even know what to say with this one any longer other than I don't buy it. This place has something seriously wrong. I can even understand to a point that the military has to have a tough stance for who can make it and has the wherewithal to deal with things like war and killing and more. It still doesn't mean you drive someone to this and it is what is sounds like to me, IF he even did this.

I don't recall if we know but I wonder what his record was prior, I had the impression it was a good one. And he is right in that same age group and all that most of them seem to be...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Fort Hood confirms death of Sgt. Elder Fernandes, says sexual assault allegations were 'unsubstantiated'

Fort Hood confirmed Wednesday that Sgt. Elder Fernandes was found dead on August 25 in Temple. Fernandes, 23, was found near Lake Polk.

www.wltx.com

TEMPLE, Texas — Update: The Temple Police Department said the individual found in Tuesday evening's death investigation has been "forensically identified" as Sgt. Elder Fernandes.

Temple police said the preliminary autopsy results are still pending.

 

[Sunburst]

Like everything that happens there, and there seems to be so much, this story stinks to high heaven. Wasn't one of the others also found with a backpack? Maybe the guy they found right after Vanessa?

I also don't find his time in the hospital odd without going into why... And the fact he could not say much when family talked to him... You don't exactly leave the service or get a transfer very easily... And if you complain or report someone.... At this place...?

Take him home to an address he doesn't live at? That is a HUGE stink bomb... I mean if he was released from the hospital and okayed for release then he would be awake, alert and say I don't live here wouldn't he...? Or the driver would say where do you live? No one took him. Looks like another huge cover-up.

I, like all, intensely support our military but denying one never sees hints or problems or abuse of power, just like in anything.... This place has something very corrupt and deep and long term going on... Imo....

I agree. There is a military newspaper, (Stars and Stripes) available online at stripes.com. A few days ago, they ran a LENGTHY article about the murders and deaths at Ft. Hood.
I absolutely agree that there are reasons he was in the hospital that din't need to be made public, given the circumstances of his case.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I agree. There is a military newspaper, (Stars and Stripes) available online at stripes.com. A few days ago, they ran a LENGTHY article about the murders and deaths at Ft. Hood.

Hmm. I may have to take a look. I think I did see an article from them awhile back shared somewhere. There are just too many things here, I usually think like three coincidences or more is a lot, this is so very far much past that and for so very long... Jmo.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Just wanted to share the official COD.

Autopsy: Fort Hood soldier’s death was suicide by hanging

A Fort Hood soldier whose disappearance prompted a week-long search hanged himself, according to a preliminary autopsy report released Tuesday.

www.wymt.com

Autopsy: Fort Hood soldier’s death was suicide by hanging

Fort Hood Sgt. Elder Fernandes, whose disappearance prompted a week-long search hanged himself, according to a preliminary autopsy report released Tuesday.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Just wanted to share the official COD.

Autopsy: Fort Hood soldier’s death was suicide by hanging

A Fort Hood soldier whose disappearance prompted a week-long search hanged himself, according to a preliminary autopsy report released Tuesday.

www.wymt.com

Autopsy: Fort Hood soldier’s death was suicide by hanging

Fort Hood Sgt. Elder Fernandes, whose disappearance prompted a week-long search hanged himself, according to a preliminary autopsy report released Tuesday.

Hmm. They seem to be lacking just a bit of info unless I have forgotten. First of all wasn't he dropped at a place he did not live? I also forget how far that is from where he was found. Not saying he couldn't have committed suicide with the things going on or that he may have been dealing with...

So he didn't report for duty so then they made contact and found him and he drove himself to hospital where his battery then died so he had to have a ride home? Huh?

So then did his battery get jumped and he had his car back as a quick search shows Kileen Texas to Temple Texas as a 30 minute driving trip... Doubtful he walked...

It may be all bona fide but they need to do a whole lot better at explaining things... Whether media or the base...? So was his car found where he was found?

I probably should not even go there but just saying I don't see where it answers what has been reported previously...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Demonstrators march to demand answers in death of Fort Hood soldier Sgt. Elder Fernandes

Demonstrators gathered in Brockton on Monday afternoon demanding that lawmakers find out the truth after the death of the late Fort Hood soldier, Army Sgt. Elder Fernandes.

www.boston25news.com

Demonstrators march to demand answers in death of Fort Hood soldier Sgt. Elder Fernandes​

Demonstrators gathered in Brockton on Monday afternoon demanding that lawmakers find out the truth after the death of the late Fort Hood soldier, 23-year-old Army Sgt. Elder Fernandes. It’s been one and a half months since his death.

Supporters marched close to 2 miles on the streets of Brockton, in honor of Sgt. Fernandes. Every day that goes by, family members said, the pain is getting unbearable, and they want answers. They say, enough is enough.

“We still mourning, we still sad. We don’t know what happened to Elder,” said Nilda Neves Fernandes, Elder’s aunt.


“We need to know why he went to the hospital. Why was he there, why was it not communicated?” said Neves Fernandes.

“We don’t believe it’s a suicide. He would never do such thing. We loved him too much,” said Neves Fernandes.


Now, the big mystery remains, what evidence is left behind in Sgt. Fernandes' computer, iPad, and hard drive.

All devices, the family said, investigators never even looked at. Boston 25 News obtained exclusive photos of the devices as they were handed over to an expert.

“It’s this gap that we can’t fill, because we don’t know,” said Neves Fernandes.

The family says, the Army isn’t doing enough to get answers about what really happened to Sgt. Fernandes.

The family’s attorney, Leonard Kesten, said he will keep relentlessly working this case until justice is served.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Family of Fort Hood sergeant questions Army’s effort to find him before he died

www.stripes.com

Police have concluded Fort Hood Sgt. Elder Fernandes was alive for up to three days between the time that he went missing and when he died by suicide, leaving the soldier’s family to question the Army’s efforts to find him.

However, officials from Fernandes’ unit, the 1st Cavalry Division, have said they began looking for the soldier “within hours” -- on and off the base.

The family wants to know exactly what the Army did and when, Kesten said. He believes those details are in files that the Fort Hood detachment of the Criminal Investigation Command, known as CID, has yet to release.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Family of Fort Hood sergeant questions Army’s effort to find him before he died

www.stripes.com

Police have concluded Fort Hood Sgt. Elder Fernandes was alive for up to three days between the time that he went missing and when he died by suicide, leaving the soldier’s family to question the Army’s efforts to find him.

However, officials from Fernandes’ unit, the 1st Cavalry Division, have said they began looking for the soldier “within hours” -- on and off the base.

The family wants to know exactly what the Army did and when, Kesten said. He believes those details are in files that the Fort Hood detachment of the Criminal Investigation Command, known as CID, has yet to release.

I hate to say it but the credibility of officials re Fort Hood regarding any of these cases is not exactly something they can expect people to automatically take as gospel these days... If his is truly a suicide, what is the issue with releasing the files?

I am sure if there were searches on and off base then soldiers would remember participating right?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Lawsuit claims Fort Hood soldier died by suicide in 2020 after months of bullying

The family of Army Sgt. Elder Fernandes say the bullying stemmed from him reporting to his superiors he had been sexually assaulted.

www.fox7austin.com

Lawsuit claims Fort Hood soldier died by suicide in 2020 after months of bullying​

The family of a Fort Hood soldier who died by suicide in 2020 is now suing the U.S. Army.

The legal claim states that Sgt. Elder Fernandes died by suicide after months of bullying, which his family believes stemmed from Fernandes reporting to his superiors that he had been sexually assaulted.

The family is claiming negligent care against the hospital and is seeking $25 million in damages.