Mother pleads for info on Fort Campbell soldier daughter's death; reward more than doubled

A week after the death of Fort Campbell soldier Katia Duenas Aguilar, her mother and sister are pleading for any information about her death.

During a news conference Saturday afternoon in Texas, Carmen Duenas Aguilar and Cecilia Ruiz Aguilar stood behind a podium with tears in their eyes as they spoke of the pain in dealing with Katia's death.

"My daughter is dead, and no one is going to stop it," Carmen said, her voice wavering before taking a breath. "Help me get justice for her and those who passed away. I never thought I'd be living this, and now I am."

On Saturday, May 18, the Clarksville Police Department responded to a call on Tiny Town Road where Pfc. Katia Duenas-Aguilar was found and pronounced dead.

The 23-year-old was a decorated soldier from Mesquite, Texas. She enlisted in the Army in 2018 and completed her basic training at Fort Eisenhower, Georgia. In 2019, she was stationed at Fort Campbell.

Aguilar’s awards and commendations included 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, Fort Campbell said in a release.

According to her mother and sister, Katia Duenas Aguilar told them she wanted to go home to Texas in May but changed her mind after deciding her goal in the Army was incomplete.

"She told me that she was told not to live for my mom, she needs to live for herself," Cecilia said. "I asked if she was happy and she said no. I told her to think about it because we want you here."

Her mother said she didn't understand why her daughter changed her mind and that she and Katia had plans to move and buy a house together.

"She told me to pick a state for us to go," Carmen said. "I keep turning in my head what happened, why the drastic change."

Although they do not have any proof or distinct reason to believe Fort Campbell had anything to do with Katia's death, her mother wishes her daughter and others would have the support they needed.

"I don't understand why they don't have better psychological assistance because those people are the ones who take care of us and our community," Carmen said.

Increase in reward money

On Thursday, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights organization, announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the death of Katia Duenas-Aguilar.

“We will not rest, nor will we let the investigation into the killing of this Army soldier go cold," LULAC national president Domingo Garcia. "Our military service members must know that we stand with them and that their safety in the ranks is now the law thanks to the Vanessa Guillen Act that we fought to get passed and won.”

During the news conference, Garcia announced that the reward had increased to $55,000 after Carmen contributed $30,000.

"I want this case to continue and have the support of the authorities," Carmen said.

Garcia said LULAC fully supports Carmen Duenas Aguilar and Cecilia Ruiz Aguilar as they work through the grieving process while also pursuing justice.

“For this mother to commit, not just money but her total soul, to finding whoever did this deserves our complete and unequivocal support," Garcia said. "LULAC urges anyone with information to come forward and speak to law enforcement to help identify, arrest, and convict the person responsible.”

CPD has not released any details about Aguilar's death, including how or when she died, though they said in a previous news release that it appeared to be a "shooting."

The investigation is ongoing and as of May 24 there hasn't been any additional information, CPD spokesman Scott Beaubien said.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the woman's death to call the department at 931-648-0656, ext. 5720. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call the Clarksville/Montgomery County Crime Stopper tip line at 931-645-8477 or go online.

Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle. She can be contacted at kanderson@gannett.com or on X at kenyaanderson32. Sign up for the Leaf-Chronicle to support local journalism at www.theleafchronicle.com.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Mother pleads for info on death of daughter, a Fort Campbell soldier