Suspect Accused of Stabbing Army Private Nearly 70 Times
Authorities in Tennessee have charged two people in connection with the brutal killing of a Fort Campbell soldier who was stabbed nearly 70 times last year, police announced on Saturday.
Sofia Rodas, 35, faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of U.S. Army Private First Class Katia Dueñas Aguilar, 23. Aguilar’s husband, Reynaldo Salinas Cruz, 40, has been charged with tampering with evidence, according to the Clarksville Police Department.
Victim Found in Tennessee Home
Aguilar’s body was discovered in May 2023 inside her home in Clarksville, Tennessee, near the Fort Campbell military base. The Montgomery County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that she had suffered 68 stab wounds to her neck and upper body. The official cause of death was ruled as homicide due to sharp-force injuries.
Authorities have not yet disclosed specific details about the circumstances of the crime or the alleged roles of Rodas and Salinas Cruz.
Suspects Extradited to Tennessee
Prior to being charged in Aguilar’s death, both Rodas and Salinas Cruz were in custody on unrelated federal charges. They were extradited to Clarksville on Friday to face the new accusations, police said. Their attorneys in their federal cases have not responded to requests for comment.
Honoring the Soldier’s Legacy
Aguilar, a native of Mesquite, Texas, joined the U.S. Army in 2018 and was stationed at Fort Campbell the following year. She served as a member of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.
The investigation into her death is ongoing as authorities work to uncover further details about the crime.
