The U.
S. army and the Killeen Police Department pleads to the public to assist in the search for another missing soldier in Fort Hood, Texas.
Sgt. Elder Fernandes, 23, was last seen on Monday afternoon after his staff sergeant dropped him off at his home in Killeen, about four miles from the Fort Hood base.
A police statement described Fernandes as a 5 feet, 8 inches tall man, weighing 133 pounds, and was last seen wearing black Army physical training shorts and T-shirt with red athletic shoes.
The sergeant is a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist with the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade at the Central Texas Army installation
His aunt, Isabel Fernandes, said that he had just signed a new lease but never picked up his keys.
“This is very, very unusual. He has been in touch with us since last week. I personally spoke to him Friday morning. He spoke with his mom this past Sunday and he promised he would call on Monday,” said Fernandes.
“Monday came and went and he didn’t call, and he didn’t answer calls from anyone else. Tuesday, no calls and my sister ended up flying down there yesterday, and still we haven’t heard from him.”
His mother had already travelled from Massachusetts to Fort Hood to put pressure on the Army officials to search for his missing son.
“Our primary concern is to ensure his wellbeing and safety,” said the 1st Cavalry Division on Twitter.
Fort Hood officials had conducted a search through the entire division area, including motorpools, parking lots and headquarters buildings.
They also said that the unit is in contact with the Fernandes family, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and civilian law enforcement agencies.
His disappearance follows the deaths of 11 Fort Hood soldiers this year alone, in which five of them is suspected to have involved foul play.