Fort Hood Soldier's Remains Found After He Went Missing A Month Ago

FORT HOOD, TX -- Officials at Fort Hood have released the name of a soldier found dead on Nov. 3.

The remains of Pvt. Dakota Lee Stump, 19, were discovered next to a flipped vehicle registered to the soldier in a wooded areas some 100 yards from the roadway near Building 43028 on the military installation grounds. Stump had been missing since Oct. 10, Fort Hood officials said.

Search crews found the vehicle at around 11:50 a.m. on Nov. 3, according to Fort Hood officials.

"Based on the extensive damage to the car and surrounding trees and foliage, early indications are the vehicle left the roadway, entered the wooded area and rolled over multiple times, according to law enforcement officials," a press release read. "Due to the terrain and heavy vegetation, the vehicle was not visible from the road."

The soldier's home of record is listed as Avon, Ind., according to officials. Stump entered active-duty service in March as an indirect-fire infantryman, and was assigned to 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, since July, officials said.

Despite the soldier's short life, he already had earned several awards and decorations, including the National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

"Circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation by Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command," Fort Hood officials said. "An autopsy will be performed by the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Dover Air Force Base, Del."

No further details were released pending the outcome of the investigation. A photo of Stump was not available.

Fort Hood is a U.S. military post located in Killeen, Texas, some 60 miles equidistant between Austin and Waco.

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