CLARKSVILLE, TN – Authorities have charged two individuals, including the husband of a slain soldier, in connection with her brutal killing earlier this year. Army Pfc. Katia Duenas Aguilar was found dead in her home on May 18 with numerous stab wounds, a tragedy that has sent shockwaves through her community and the military family.
A grand jury in Montgomery County indicted Reynaldo Salinas Cruz, 40, the soldier’s husband, alongside 35-year-old Sofia Rodas, over the weekend. Rodas faces accusations of first-degree murder, while both suspects are charged with tampering with evidence. The motive behind this violent crime remains undetermined.
The autopsy findings revealed a grim picture: Aguilar suffered from 68 stab wounds, mostly concentrated around her neck. Additionally, her system contained a high blood alcohol level and traces of GHB, commonly known as a date rape drug. Her death has been classified as a homicide.
Prosecutors laid down the case before a Montgomery County grand jury in December. At the time of their indictment, both Cruz and Rodas were already held in federal custody on charges unrelated to the murder investigation, reportedly involving marriage fraud.
The victim leaves behind a 4-year-old son, who, according to Carmen Aguilar, Katia’s father, is beginning to grasp the permanence of his mother’s absence. “He misses his mom deeply. He often asks when she’ll come back,” Carmen shared, mourning the devastating impact of the loss on his grandson.
Cecilia, Katia’s sister, paints a picture of a vibrant life lost too soon. Recalling her sister as a source of constant support, she expressed her longing and resolve to keep her sister’s memory alive. “Every day, I look up, and it’s like she is still there, watching over us,” Cecilia recounted.
Carmen Aguilar echoed the family’s desire for answers and justice. “We don’t understand why this happened to Katia,” he expressed, grappling with the senseless nature of the crime that robbed him of his daughter. Katia, originally from Mesquite, Texas, has served with distinction as part of the 101st Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade since her enlistment in 2018.
Both Cruz and Rodas are currently detained at the Montgomery County Jail as the legal proceedings unfold.