23-Year-Old US Army Soldier Stabbed 70 Times in the Neck and Killed at Home

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Two individuals have been charged in connection with the brutal homicide of U.S. Army soldier Private First Class Katia Duenas-Aguilar, 23, who was found dead last year with 68 stab wounds, primarily to her neck.

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The Clarksville Police Department confirmed that Reynaldo Salinas Cruz, 40, the victim’s husband, and Sofia Rodas, 35, have been indicted in the case. Cruz faces charges of tampering with evidence, while Rodas is charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering.

Duenas-Aguilar, an information technology specialist stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was discovered deceased on May 18, 2023, at a Clarksville residence. An autopsy revealed her blood-alcohol content was 0.616, and traces of GHB, a known date-rape drug, were found in her system. The shocking details of her death have left her family and military colleagues devastated, NBC reported.

At the time of their indictment, both Cruz and Rodas were already in custody on unrelated charges. They were extradited to Clarksville on February 7 and are currently held at the Montgomery County Jail. The investigation remains active, with authorities working to piece together the events leading to Duenas-Aguilar’s tragic death.

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Duenas-Aguilar, a member of the 101st Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade, had been stationed at Fort Campbell since 2019. She leaves behind a 4-year-old son, who is now in the care of her mother, Carmen Aguilar. “They took away the best part of his life,” Aguilar told WSMV4. “I’m in pain because of my little boy, I’m in pain because of my daughter, and those persons never think about that.”

The Clarksville Police Department emphasized the importance of collaboration between local law enforcement and military authorities in solving crimes affecting service members. “The successful progression of this case highlights the critical partnership between local law enforcement and military authorities in addressing severe crimes that impact service members and their families,” the department stated in a release.

Authorities are urging anyone with additional information or video footage to come forward. Detective Hofinga can be reached at (931) 648-0656, ext. 5720. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Clarksville Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Tipsline at (931) 645-8477 or online at P3tips.com/591.

Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler, spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division, expressed the unit’s grief over Duenas-Aguilar’s death. “We are stunned by the death of Pfc. Duenas-Aguilar,” he said. “In the meantime, we will continue to cooperate with Army and local investigative authorities on this matter.” As the case moves toward prosecution, the community and Duenas-Aguilar’s family await justice for the young soldier whose life was tragically cut short.

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