Family Seeking Accountability in Death of a Second Fort Hood Soldier

FORT HOOD, TX – After disappearing from the army post more than 10 months ago, the remains of U.S. Army Pvt. Gregory Morales were located in a field near Fort Hood in late June. His family is now demanding accountability from the Army.

According to KTXS, Morales was classified as AWOL after he disappeared from Fort Hood back in August of 2019. His family is seeking to have Morales reinstated so he can have a military funeral.

Being labeled as a deserter means Morales will not be buried with the honors bestowed on fallen soldiers and the Army will not cover the expenses associated with his funeral. Morales disappeared less than two weeks before he was scheduled to complete his 6th year in the Army.

"He was NOT AWOL or a deserter. He was murdered," Morales' mother, Kim Wedel wrote in a Facebook post. "He deserves all honors and respect due to a soldier."

In an online petition created by a family member, the private’s family alleges the army post and local authorities did not do enough to locate him. Morales’ remains were located during the search for Spt. Vanesa Guillen, who was brutally murdered inside Fort Hood on April 22.

According to the family, his remains were discovered on June 19th after authorities received an anonymous tip. Even though his cause of death has not been determined, foul play is suspected.

“We want Greg to be reinstated so he can have a military funeral as he deserves, and we also want them to look into who did this to him. We also want the Killeen and Fort Hood police department to be investigated for their lack of investigation skills over the years,” said the family in the petition. 

The petition is seeking 25,000 signatures and as of Tuesday morning had accumulated over 16,000.