Remains identified as soldier stationed at Fort Hood, Texas
Skeletal remains found in Killeen, Texas, have been identified as those of a soldier from Oklahoma missing from Fort Hood, Texas
The Associated Press
June 21, 2020, 2:01 PM
KILLEEN, Texas -- Skeletal remains found in Texas have been identified as those of a soldier from Oklahoma who was missing from Fort Hood, the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Command in Quantico, Virginia, said Sunday.
The body of Pvt. Gregory Scott Morales, 24, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was found Friday in a field in Killeen, Texas, after officials at nearby Fort Hood received a tip, according to Killeen police.
Foul play is suspected while an autopsy is to determine the cause and manner of death, according to a release from Army CID public affairs chief Chris Grey.
There is no indication Morales' death is connected to the disappearance in April of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen from Fort Hood, who remains missing, according to the Army.
Morales, who was also known as Gregory Wedel, was last seen in August driving his personal vehicle outside of Fort Hood. He was to be discharged within days after his disappearance, the Army said.
Morales joined the Army in June 2015 as a motor transport operator and had been assigned to the 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood since November 2016, according to the Army.
A $25,000 reward is being offered for information about his death.
MISSING SOLDIER IDENTIFIED, REWARD OFFERED up to $25,000 to anyone with credible information concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of PV2 Gregory Morales.
The skeletal remains of a missing Soldier discovered Friday in Killeen, Texas have been positively identified as those of Private Gregory Morales.
Pvt. Gregory Scott Morales, 24, whose home of record is listed as Sapulpa, Oklahoma, entered the Army in June 2015 as a motor transport operator and had been assigned to the 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division since November 2016.
Morales’ awards and decorations include two Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Driver and Mechanics Badge and Army Service Ribbon.
“The First Team is saddened by the news of the passing of PV2 Gregory Morales. His life was taken too soon, and we appreciate his service to our nation,” said Maj. Gen. Jeffery Broadwater, commander, 1st Cavalry Division.
Morales’ remains were discovered in a field near the 3200 block of Florence Road Friday morning after U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command Special Agents received information as to the location of the body.
Foul play is suspected at this point in the investigation. Army Special Agents are working closely with the Killeen Police Department and are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone with credible information concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of Morales.
Morales was positively identified using dental records with the assistance of the U.S. Army Dental Corps.
Private Morales was last seen driving his personally owned vehicle outside of Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas on the night of Aug. 19, 2019. The last known verbal contact with Morales was Aug. 20, 2019. Morales, also known as Gregory Wedel, was out processing from the Army and was scheduled to be discharged within a couple of days when he disappeared. Wedel was his last name before taking his wife’s name in marriage.
An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause and manner of death.
At this point, investigators have no credible information that this case is in any way connected to the search for Pfc. Vanessa Guillen who went missing from Fort Hood in April. That investigation is still being aggressively investigated.
Army CID would like to thank the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Killeen Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety for the assistance provided during this investigation.
Persons with information can contact Army CID Special Agents at 254-287-2722 or the Military Police Desk at 254-288-1170. They can also anonymously submit information at https://www.cid.army.mil/report-a-crime.html. They can also contact their local police departments. People wishing to remain anonymous will be honored to the degree allowable under the law and the information will be held in the strictest confidence allowable.