FORT HOOD, TX — Searches for a missing Fort Hood soldier turned up no new leads Friday.
So now the Army has taken a different turn in the investigation.
Concern for Sgt. Elder Fernandes grows by the hour on Fort Hood, according to sources 25 News spoke to Friday.
With 8 soldiers missing in as many months, the speculation never seems to stop on what happened to them.
Vanessa Guillen became the poster child for missing soldiers, and after the arrest of a suspect in her murder there was a brief sigh of relief...until the disappearance days ago of Sgt. Elder Fernandes.
A few blocks away, where Fernandes lived, there is doubt about whether the Army takes these disappearances seriously.
”People have become so used to hearing about this stuff, I really don't think it's been looked into as well as it could have,” said U.S. Army Veteran Dave Valdez, who believes the disappearances date back to Elizabeth Campbell in 1988.
In the meantime, the Army has taken on a new strategy.
”I am really sorry,” said Major General Scott Efflandt weeks ago during a press conference about the Guillen case.
Commander Efflandt at Fort Hood took responsibility for the Guillen case and it's already cost him.
The Army Times says his promotion to Fort Bliss is on hold amid a Fort Hood investigation.
”The Inspector General can come as often and as long as they like, and they are well trained in these types of investigations,” said Efflandt.
The Army Secretary has Fort Hood on a short leash while he decides on what's next.
"Do I think big change will happen and will help?" asked Valdez. "No, I don't."
"They need to look at it straight-out for what it is and find the solution," he added.
