NASHVILLE, TN – Authorities have charged two individuals in connection with the brutal killing of a young soldier from Mesquite, Texas, who was found dead in her Tennessee home last year. The soldier, 23-year-old Concha Duenas Aguilar, was discovered in May with nearly 70 stab wounds, a crime that has left her family searching for answers.
Investigators have arrested Sofia Rodas, 35, and Reynaldo Salinas Cruz, 40, on charges related to Aguilar’s death. Rodas faces charges of first-degree murder and evidence tampering, while Cruz has been charged with tampering with evidence. These arrests come months after Aguilar’s family first voiced their suspicions about the pair.
Aguilar’s sister, Cecilia Aguilar Ruiz, expressed her family’s longstanding doubts about Rodas and Cruz, saying they were suspicious from the outset. “We were contacted by them before the police,” she said, highlighting the unusual nature of their involvement.
Rodas, whom Aguilar reportedly considered a friend, and Cruz, who was unbeknownst to the family her husband, have been under scrutiny since Aguilar’s untimely death. The family was unaware of Aguilar’s marriage until Cruz informed them of her passing, claiming he was notified first due to his marital status.
The indictment of Rodas and Cruz was issued while they were already in federal custody on unrelated charges, which authorities have not disclosed. Despite the arrests, the motive behind Aguilar’s murder remains unclear, and investigators have yet to reveal the evidence that led to the charges.
Aguilar, a dedicated soldier stationed on the Tennessee-Kentucky border, joined the U.S. Army after graduating from North Mesquite High School and completing basic training in 2019. Her death has left a void in her family, particularly for her young son, who is now without his mother.
Cecilia Aguilar Ruiz wants her sister to be remembered for more than the tragedy that befell her. “She was full of laughter and sunshine,” she said, emphasizing Aguilar’s caring nature and bright spirit.
As the investigation continues, Aguilar’s family seeks justice while grappling with the loss of a beloved daughter, sister, and mother. The community remains on edge as they await further developments in this harrowing case.