Family of missing Ft. Hood soldier believes she's still alive

KILLEEN, Texas (KTRK) -- Relatives of missing Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen are holding onto hope that she is still alive.

Wednesday marked 50 days since she was reported missing back on April 22. Her sister, Mayra Guillen, said she spoke to Vanessa the day before she reported her missing.

"She had texted me in regards to looking into vehicles for her birthday Sept. 30," Mayra said. "There's days where I'm just like, 'I can't do this anymore. It's too much.' I'm only 21. I would have never thought I would have seen myself going through this at such a young age."

Mayra believes Vanessa was kidnapped and being held against her will, because all of Vanessa's belongings were found in the armory room where she was working earlier in the day, including her car keys, barracks room key, ID and wallet. Mayra also claims somebody was bothering Vanessa on base.

"From the bottom of my heart I strongly believe my sister is alive. That whoever is keeping her hostage is doing it for a reason, because they know that at this point if we find her deceased, it's going to be much worse and I just hope that they are keeping her okay," Mayra said.

The family is calling for transparency from Fort Hood investigators, claiming that other soldiers have disappeared from the base before. ABC13 reached out to Fort Hood investigations to confirm additional cases and has not received a response, as of Wednesday afternoon.

"If Vanessa were to hear this, she knows what a strong bond we had ever since we were little," Mayra said. "Just hold on. We're going to get to the bottom of everything and you're going to be back home to continue with your plans, and that I love her a lot."

Fort Hood officials and special agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command are asking for the public's help to find Vanessa.

A reward of up to $15,000 is now being offered for credible information on the whereabouts of the missing Fort Hood soldier from Houston.

Vanessa was last seen wearing a black shirt. She is described as being of Hispanic descent, 5 feet 2 inches, and 126 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Army CID Special Agents at 254-495-7767 or the Military Police Desk at (254) 287-4001.

Guillen's family will be hosting a peaceful protest at the Catholic Church in Killeen on Friday.

FIEL in Houston is helping the family to try to get them answers and help from federal investigators in this case.

The family has started a White House petition, which has surpassed 144,000 signatures and a website for Vanessa's case.

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