#Foul play suspected in death of Fort Hood soldier after remains found in Texas

The skeletal remains of a missing Fort Hood soldier were found in a Texas field – and authorities are now suspecting foul play in his death, military officials said.

The remains of Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales, 23, were found early Friday during a search involving K-9 teams in a field in Killeen after Army investigators got a tip about a body, according to a statement released Sunday by the Army Criminal Investigation Command.

“Foul play is suspected at this point in the investigation,” military officials said, adding that an autopsy will be conducted to determine a cause and manner of death.

The soldier, who disappeared from the military base on Aug. 19, was last seen driving his car outside Fort Hood in Killeen. He was set to be discharged from the Army within a couple days when he vanished, Army officials said.

“I’m just glad he was found,” the soldier’s mother, Kim Wedel, told KBTX. “I want to thank whoever it was who sent in the tip.”

Wedel, of Oklahoma, said she was notified of the grim discovery Friday. Her son was initially classified as AWOL and was then listed as a deserter, KBTX reported.

A reward of $25,000 is being offered for credible information surrounding the circumstances of Wedel-Morales’ death, Army investigators said.

There’s no evidence that his disappearance is linked in “any way” to that of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, who vanished from the base in April, Army investigators said.