Body found near railroad tracks in Texas believed to be missing Fort Hood soldier

Texas police believe that the body found 30 miles away from Fort Hood Tuesday belongs to missing soldier Elder Fernandes.

Temple officers responded to a call around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday about a man “observed near the railroad tracks,” according to the police department. When cops arrived, they found a body that “had been deceased for some period of time.”

Officials believe that the remains belong to 23-year-old Fernandes, but forensics have not confirmed the identification yet.

An autopsy has been scheduled, but foul play is not suspected.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fernandes family during this challenging time,” Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds said in a statement.

Fernandes was last seen Aug. 17 when his staff sergeant dropped him off at home in Killeen, his family told police.

Before he disappeared, Fernandes had reported “abusive sexual contact” on base and an investigation was ongoing.

“The chain of command takes all allegations of sexual harassment and assault seriously,” Fort Hood LTC Chris Brautigam previously told KTRK.

Fernandes had been transferred out of his unit after reporting the abuse.

“Our worst nightmare has happened,” family lawyer Natalie Khawam tweeted. “We are sickened by this tragedy that has happened one too many times. We are heartbroken for Elder Fernandes’ family.”

If the body is confirmed to be Fernandes, he would be the latest in a string of Fort Hood soldiers to die this year.

In April, Vanessa Guillén disappeared after telling her family that she was being sexually harassed by a sergeant on base. Her dismembered remains were found buried along the Leon River in late June.

Her alleged killer, 20-year-old soldier Aaron David Robinson, died by suicide after police approached him. His girlfriend has been arrested and charged with tampering with evidence for allegedly helping Robinson cut off Guillén’s head and limbs then burn and bury the remains.

Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales, who had been missing since August 2019, was found buried in a field in Killeen last month, while Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans was murdered in May and Spc. Freddy Delacruz was killed in a triple homicide in March.