WACO, Texas – The female suspect in the Vanessa Guillen murder case is expected to appear in court on Monday in Waco.
Cecily Aguilar, 22, is charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence for her alleged roll in Guillen’s death.
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Aguilar spoke with investigators on June 30 and provided details surrounding Guillen’s death, according to an affidavit. A press release from Fort Hood identified Aguilar as the estranged wife of a former Fort Hood soldier.
According to the affidavit, Aguilar said 20-year-old Army Specialist Aaron Robinson struck Guillen in the head with a hammer multiple times on April 22 inside an arms room at Fort Hood, killing her.
Aguilar is accused of helping Robinson dismember the body using a “hatchet or ax” and a “machete type knife.”
The pair then attempted to burn the body but “the body would not burn completely” so they placed the remains in three separate holes and covered them up, the affidavit states.
Robinson fatally shot himself in Killeen last Wednesday, the same day Aguilar was arrested and taken to Bell County Jail to await charges for her role in Guillen’s disappearance.
Rep. Joaquin Castro attends Vanessa Guillen vigil at Main Plaza in San Antonio
Natalie Khawam, the attorney for the Guillen family, told CNN on Sunday that Army investigators positively identified Guillen’s remains but as of this publication the Army has not released an official statement confirming that claim.
Army investigators have positively identified the remains of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. I spoke to her family’s attorney about this sad development and the ongoing investigation: pic.twitter.com/aaYKsp4JJt
— Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) July 5, 2020
If convicted, Aguilar faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. She is expected to remain in custody after her court appearance.
Guillen’s family is pushing for legislation that would provide unbiased investigations into harassment allegations in the military. Khawam said it would be akin to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. “It would have an independent person, not part of the command, not part of the military, that’s unbiased. A different set of eyes,” Khawam said. They’re hoping the legislation will lead to unbiased investigations and reviews of sexual harassment allegations in the military.
More stories related to Vanessa Guillen’s disappearance:
Vanessa Guillen: A timeline of events and everything we know about her disappearance
Vanessa Guillen killed with hammer, body dismembered and burned, affidavit says
Body found believed to be Vanessa Guillen’s, suspect killed himself, family attorney says
Army suspects foul play in Fort Hood soldier’s disappearance, congresswoman says
Human remains found near Central Texas river during search for Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen
Man wanted in connection to Fort Hood criminal investigation fatally shoots self, Killeen police say