VANESSA GUILLÉN'S FAMILY STANDS UP AGAINST DONALD TRUMP ALLEGATIONS

The shocking murder of Vanessa Guillén is one of many mysterious and unfortunate murders/suicides attached to Fort Cavazos. Just north of Killeen, Texas, Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood, serves as an Army base with a focus on getting Soldiers prepared for the use of heavy armored forces on the battlefield. Yet, a variety of mysterious deaths and the high-profile murder of Guillén still paint an ugly picture of an otherwise unassuming Central Texas community.

The aftermath of Guillén’s murder has led to policy changes to help better protect service members. In 2024, Guillén’s family is fighting back after conflicting reports involving Donald Trump’s role in paying for the funeral emerge as Election Day nears.

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Fort Hood Murders Continue to Be a Mysterious Stain on the Post

What Happened to Vanessa Guillén?

Vanessa Guillén was killed by Army Specialist Aaron Robinson and his accomplice Cecily Aguilar. The possible motive in Vanessa Guillén’s murder, revealed in new court records, is believed to be because Guillén supposedly saw fellow Robinson’s phone background containing a photo of Aguilar.

This created a problem because it would expose adultery and could cause Robinson to receive disciplinary action from the Army. His solution was to hit Guillén in the head with a hammer. According to Aguilar, Vanessa Guillén’s killer was Robinson. He had moments where he would not act like himself, implying violent tendencies.

She would go on to say that Robinson showed her Guillén’s body at the Leon River and threatened her at gunpoint to help him dispose of the evidence. According to officials, Robinson would go on to kill himself after escaping custody when the authorities were closing in on him as a suspect. Aguilar was sentenced to the maximum of 30 years in prison for her role in the murder.

Who Was Vanessa Guillén's Drill Sergeant?

Ryan "Cj" Landy was Guillén’s drill sergeant and claimed to have become friends with her instantly. He was not one of the fourteen U.S. Army leaders fired or suspended at Fort Cavazos as a result of an investigation that would show patterns of poor leadership.

Some of the issues at hand, along with the ongoing disappearances, suicides, and murders, included multiple sexual harassment claims from Guillén and other Soldiers on which a blind eye was turned. Both Landy and Vanessa Guillén’s fiancé Juan Cruz have been outspoken about the case and the need for justice.

Reform and Refocus at Fort Cavazos

Vanessa Guillén’s military career and life were cut far too short, but her case is leading to change for those still serving. Many leaders at Fort Cavazos were relieved of their duties after an independent review of the base. The I Am Vanessa Guillén Act was passed, and President Joseph Biden signed an executive order making sexual harassment an offense under the UCMJ.

Her legacy will hopefully help avoid the same mistakes in the institutions that ultimately failed her and many others over the years. Service members, families, and community members were all served an injustice due to the failure to protect her and the many others in the service.

Vanessa Guillén's Family Hits Back at The Atlantic Over Trump Comments

Vanessa Guillén’s family attorney and sister dismissed a report by The Atlantic that said Donald Trump refused to pay for her funeral and disparaged her ethnicity.

Allegedly, Trump reacted angrily to a $60,000 funeral bill and was reported to have said, “It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f***ing Mexican,” before supposedly telling Mark Meadows, his Chief of Staff, not to pay it.

However, Mayra Guillén, Vanessa’s sister, is fighting back against the report, claiming that Trump was respectful and supportive to her family. Furthermore, Mayra has pointed to Trump's support of the “I Am Vanessa Guillen Act.”

“I don’t appreciate how you are exploiting my sister’s death for politics – hurtful & disrespectful to the important changes she made for service members,” wrote Mayra, who also stated, that “President Donald Trump did nothing but show respect to my family & Vanessa. In fact, I voted for President Trump today.”

The Guillén family's attorney, Natalie Khawam, also hit out at the article. Politics are messy and everyone has the freedom to vote and support who they wish. That's the beauty of this country and one of the core tenets of why service members sign up and defend our nation.

However, to use the death of anyone, especially a Veteran, for political gain is appalling. Vanessa Guillén and her family deserved better and frankly still do. Words are powerful and regardless of the politics surrounding them, using common sense and being kind should come standard—even in the political arena.

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Image: Courtesy of Alex Roman Jr.