Another Soldier Missing from Ft. Hood

FORT HOOD, TX – The U.S. Army is currently asking for the public's help in locating a 23-year-old soldier who has previously been stationed at Fort Hood in Texas.

The First Cavalry Division from Ft. Hood says Sgt. Elder Fernandes who is assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade has not been heard from since Monday afternoon.

On Wednesday, family members reported the soldier missing after informing police that Fernandes' staff sergeant was the last person to see him when he dropped Fernandes off at home sometime Monday evening.

Recently, Fort Hood has fallen under heavy scrutiny, after at least eight soldiers have been found dead since the start of the year.

Last month, an outside independent review panel was brought in to investigate the "command climate and culture" at Fort Hood.

This disappearance comes just a few months after the brutal murder of 20-year-old Spc. Vanessa Guillen which gained widespread national media attention this summer.

In a statement Thursday Fort Hood stated, “Our primary concern is for his health and well-being.” 

“We have completed a search of the entire division area, to include motor pools, parking lots, and headquarters buildings and the unit is in contact with the soldier’s family, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and civilian law enforcement agencies to help find him as we continue our search. Finding him and ensuring his safety is a top priority for the division.”

Fernandes is listed as 5-foot-4, weighing about 135 pounds, and was last seen wearing black Army PT shorts and a T-shirt with red athletic shoes.

Investigators are asking anyone with any information to call the Killeen Police Department at (254) 200-7905.