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Elder Fernandes: Body of missing Fort Hood soldier found hanging from tree 30 miles from base, reveals lawyer

Fernandes' elder brother said he had told him about some abuse a month ago, where another man grabbed his buttocks

TEMPLE, TEXAS: A body, believed to be that of missing soldier Sgt Elder Fernandes, has been found around 30 miles from Fort Hood, the Army base in Texas where he had been stationed, authorities revealed on Tuesday, August 25. There has been some identification found along with the body in Temple, Texas which indicates that the man could be Fernandes, local police said in a statement. The forensic confirmation is still pending. Fernandes is believed to be the third soldier from Fort Hood to disappear in a year. Two people were found dead over the summer. Meanwhile, the soldier's attorney said, his body was found hanging.

According to the statement, Temple police received a medical call around 5.40 pm that said a male was seen near some railroad tracks. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the man dead. The authorities do not suspect any foul play but the investigation is ongoing. Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds said, "our thoughts and prayers are with the Fernandes family during this challenging time."

The Attorney representing Fernandes' family, Natalie Khawam said that the Army police had told the family about the body late last night. She added how the body was found hanging from a tree and Fernandes' backpack had been with him. Police also revealed that they had found the 23-year-old man's driver's license. Fernandes' elder brother, Elton, spoke to ABC News and said that Fernandes had told him about some abuse a month ago, where another man grabbed his buttocks. He assured his brother Elton that he was 'taking care of it'.

Khawam is also representing the family of another Fort Hood soldier, Vanessa Guillen, who had gone missing and was later found dead. "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," Khawam said. 

On August 11, Fernandes had been admitted to hospital for an unspecified reason and was there till August 17. We had earlier reported that the military's base 1st Cavalry Division has requested the public for help in finding Fernandes, 23. The Killeen Police Department revealed that Fernandes has not been heard from or seen since Monday afternoon, August 17, when his staff sergeant had dropped him off at his residence, NY Post had revealed.

The Army's 1st Cavalry Division took to Twitter to share a post that read, "We are seeking your help in locating Sgt. Elder Fernandes. We are actively searching to locate him and continue to stay in contact with his family, friends, and law enforcement. Please contact the Fort Hood Military Police at 254-288-1170 or US Army CID at 254-287-2722, if you have any information on his whereabouts."

Fernandes' disappearance comes after the 11th death at the military base this year, the most recent being that of Specialist Cole Jakob who was hit by a car on August 12. His death followed that of 10 other soldiers including that of Vanessa Guillen whose remains were discovered just months after she had gone missing.

Among the dead are Specialist Aaron David Robinson, Gregory Wedel-Morales, Private Mejhor Morta, Specialist Francisco Gilberto Hernandez-Vargas, Private First Class Brandon Scott Rosecrans, Private First Class Freddy Delacruz Jr, Specialist Christopher Wayne Sawyer and Specialist Shelby Tyler Jones.