Texas Authorities Charge Two Individuals in 2024 Cold Case Murder of Fort Cavazos Soldier Katia Dueñas Aguilar

Texas authorities have charged two individuals with the murder of Army Pvt. Katia Dueñas Aguilar, nearly two years after she was found dead in her Killeen home.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 26, 2026, 5:35 AM EST

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Stars and Stripes

Breakthrough in the Investigation of a Fallen Soldier

Law enforcement officials in Killeen, Texas, announced a major development on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, regarding the homicide of a soldier stationed at Fort Cavazos. After nearly two years of investigative work, authorities have taken two suspects into custody on murder charges. The case centers on the death of Private Katia Dueñas Aguilar, a 23 year old member of the 1st Cavalry Division who was discovered dead in her residence on May 18, 2024.

The Killeen Police Department, working in coordination with Army Criminal Investigation Division agents, had been pursuing leads since the initial discovery of the body at an off post apartment complex. While specific details regarding the evidence that led to the arrests have not been fully released, the department confirmed that the suspects were apprehended without incident. The news brings a somber sense of progress to a case that has deeply affected the local military community and the victim's family.

The Circumstances Surrounding the 2024 Discovery

Katia Dueñas Aguilar, a native of Mesquite, Texas, joined the Army in 2018 and was serving as an information technology specialist at the time of her death. Her body was found after she failed to report for duty, prompting a welfare check at her home in the 1600 block of North 4th Street. Initial reports from the medical examiner’s office indicated that the cause of death was homicide, though the specific nature of the injuries was kept confidential to protect the integrity of the ongoing probe.

The investigation initially faced challenges, with limited immediate witnesses and a complex digital trail to follow. Over the last twenty months, investigators utilized forensic technology and re interviewed several associates of the soldier to piece together her final hours. The persistence of the Killeen homicide unit, alongside federal military investigators, eventually pointed toward the two individuals now facing charges in Bell County.