The body of a Fort Hood soldier was found by a lake near the military facility, officials announced Tuesday, marking the third time in a month that remains of a Texas base service member have been found.
Mejhor Morta “was found insensitive on July 17 near Stillhouse Lake,” authorities said. The 26-year-old soldier from Pensacola, Florida, joined the Army in September 2019 as a mechanic and received three medals for his service.
“The Black Knight family is truly heartbroken over the tragic loss of Private Mejhor Morta,” said Lt. Col. Neil Armstrong, commander of 1st Battalion 5th Cavalry Regiment. “I would like to extend my sincere condolences to your family, friends, and loved ones.”
Armstrong said Morta was a “great troop” and that the entire formation is mourning her death.
Army officials did not comment on the cause of death.
The Bell County Sheriff’s Department, which is investigating the incident, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News on Wednesday.
On July 1, human remains were found, which were later identified as the missing Fort Hood soldier, 20-year-old Vanessa Guillén, about 20 miles east of the base. A suspect in that case, Fort Hood soldier Aaron Robinson, shot himself and killed himself as police approached to arrest him. A woman officials identified as Robinson’s girlfriend was arrested and pleaded not guilty to federal evidence tampering charges.
On June 21, skeletal remains were found in a field in Killeen, just over 10 miles from Stillhouse Hollow Lake, who were later identified as the missing Fort Hood soldier, Gregory Morales, 24. United States Army officials have said they suspect foul play in his death.
There is no indication that the deaths of Morta, Morales and Guillén are related.
