Carmen Aguilar, the mother of slain Fort Campbell Pfc. Katia Dueñas-Aguilar, is seeking justice for her daughter, who was found dead in her home in Clarksville, Tennessee, nearly a week ago. Dueñas-Aguilar, a 23-year-old information technology specialist stationed at Fort Campbell, was originally from Mesquite, Texas. Her death has been ruled a homicide and is actively being investigated by local authorities and the Army Criminal Investigation Division. Aguilar is devastated by her daughter’s death and is calling for justice, noting that there have been several other high-profile cases of Latina soldiers losing their lives in recent years.
Dueñas-Aguilar’s body will be brought to her family in Mesquite, Texas, on May 31, where a group of soldiers will honor the fallen soldier. The Army Criminal Investigation Division is still actively working on the case alongside Clarksville Police, but there were no new updates as of Friday. In response to the tragedy, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the death of another Latina soldier, following a similar reward offered in 2020 in the case of Vanessa Guillén, a soldier who was killed at Fort Hood.
Guillén’s death brought national attention to the issue of sexual harassment and assault in the military, leading to historic military reforms and the passage of a law in her name to protect victims of sexual violence in the military. Another Latina soldier, Pvt. Ana Basaldua Ruiz, died by suicide at the same military base after facing sexual harassment, according to her family. LULAC continues to advocate for the safety and rights of Latino military personnel and calls for comprehensive measures to protect service members from violence and misconduct. Fort Campbell is cooperating with Army and local investigative authorities on Dueñas-Aguilar’s case.
During her time as a soldier, Dueñas-Aguilar received two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. Aguilar is heartbroken by the loss of her daughter and is pleading for justice to be served. The circumstances surrounding Dueñas-Aguilar’s death are still under investigation, and authorities are working diligently to uncover the truth. The reward offered by LULAC is a testament to the organization’s commitment to seeking justice for Latina soldiers who have lost their lives under suspicious circumstances.
