Vanessa Guillens’ murder raised questions about the Military Justice System of the U.S. Army. While the infamous Fort Hood Military base camp tried to conceal the facts of the murder for a long time, the Guillen family’s continuous efforts finally led to a just investigation.
I am Vanessa Guillen exposes the harsh reality that is hidden from the public eye and brings out the shocking truth of the army and its base camp. We have made a list of shocking revelations that were made in the documentary.
Shocking Things We Found Out In I Am Vanessa Guillen
Vanessa Guillen Was Sexually Harassed By Her Seniors
As spine-chilling as this may sound, the little girl was harassed by her seniors on at least two occasions, as confirmed by her mother. Vanessa did not utter a word as she thought her voice would not be heard, just like many others. However, she finally admitted to being sexually harassed in front of her mother.
These seniors were not involved in Vanessa’s murder, probably because they knew she had no power and were still holding their rank in the US Army.
Vanessa Guillen’s Murderer Smiled At Her Sister
When Vanessa did not return any calls, her elder sister Mayra and Vanessa’s boyfriend Juan went to the Fort Hood base looking for her. Mayra remembers seeing Robinson for the first time there, and the murderer had the audacity to look at her and laugh.
Mayra later came to know that Robinson was the last person who was seen with Vanessa before she went missing.
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Vanessa Started Showing Signs of Anxiety After She Was Stationed At Fort Hood
At the beginning of her documentary, Vanessa’s elder sister Mayra reveals that a few months after she was stationed at Fort Hood, Vanessa started not being able to sleep, losing weight and called Army “BS”. Her tweets were cryptic, as Vanessa would complain that she felt lonely and talked about leaving the base camp.
Vanessa also tweeted about betrayal on April 9, 2020.
It is as ironic as it is upsetting. The ones in charge of the safety of the civilians are the ones that have now become dangerous. Vanessa Guillen’s story gave voice to many others who weren’t heard before. Army officials cover up for their troops in order to maintain their dignity. The Army uses the Privacy Act to keep the victims and their families away from the details of their cases.
Vanessa’s mother confessed that she would share stories about sexual abuse faced by young boys and girls in the army camp. Then one day, her daughter admitted to being harassed herself.
Vanessa Guillen’s Corpse Was Found On Her Elder Sister’s Birthday
Mayra Guillen shared in the documentary that she did not check her phone on her birthday. Her aunt told her about the news, and it was on her birthday that Mayra finally got to the end of Vanessa’s case. But it was not the end that she had hoped for.
Vanessa was found dead and in pieces. She was bludgeoned to death by Robinson, the guy who smiled at her sister.
Mayra also revealed that she had to hide her tears and “fix herself up in 2 minutes” to be there for her dejected mother.
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Army Officials Compromised On The Security Of The Base Camp
The day Vanessa’s remains were found, Robinson was being held by the Army for breaking COVID protocols. A soldier was put in charge of watching Robinson. Somehow, the CID officials forgot to tell him that Robinson was also a suspect in Vanessa’s murder.
Robinson even had his cell phone with him, and as soon as he read the news about Guillen’s body being found, the murderer alerted his girlfriend, who helped him cover up the crime. Robinson then fled from the soldier’s watch, which raised serious questions about the security of the Fort Hood Base Camp.
Vanessa Guillen’s Murder Is Still A Mystery
With Robinson shooting himself right in front of the cops, there will never be a proper closure to Vanessa’s case. Nobody knows the exact reason behind Guillen’s murder.
Cecily, who helped Robinson in covering up the murder, was not there when Robinson murdered Vanessa. She also changed her claims once, and nobody knows if she is speaking the truth or not. Vanessa’s murder mystery will always remain unsolved.
The I Am Vanessa Guillen Act Is Not Enough
Senator Gillibrand rightly pointed out that the questionable chain of command of the army still retains the majority of authority in any case. They can still offer discharge and decide which evidence should be allowed, witness. The army officials even decide the judge, prosecutor and defence counsel in cases of sexual harassment within the military.
So it can be said that the act is a small step in the right direction, but there is a long way to go.
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