Sergio Flores/Getty Images
A Texas woman has been sentenced to thirty years in prison for aiding in the murder of Vanessa Guillén. As The Shade Room previously reported, Guillén was a U.S. soldier last seen on April 22, 2020, at the Fort Hood (now renamed the Fort Cavazos) military base in Texas.
According to CBS News, 25-year-old Cecily Aguilar was given the “maximum allowable sentence” on Monday. Aguilar pleaded guilty to one count of accessory to murder in November. Additionally, Agulair pleaded guilty to three counts of making a false statement, as previously reported by The Shade Room.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas shared a statement regarding the sentencing, as per CBS News.
“Our hope is that today’s sentence brings a sense of relief and justice to the Guillén family, who have endured such pain throughout these past few years. Ms. Aguilar’s actions were indefensible, and she will now face the maximum penalty for the choices she made.”
According to NBC News, members of the Guillén family gathered outside of the Waco courthouse following Aguilar’s sentencing. Vanessa Guillen’s mother explained that she believes her testimony regarding the impact of her daughter’s passing “touched the judge’s heart.”
Additionally, Gloria Guillen said she hopes Aguilar “repents” for her actions and “God forgives her.”
Guillen also shared sentiments from Aguilar. Aguilar reportedly explained that she doesn’t know why she aided in Vanessa’s murder.
According to NBC News, Vanessa’s sister, Mayra Guillén, explained that Aguilar apologized to her and her family during the sentencing. However, despite Aguilar’s apology, Guillén believes that “nothing will ever bring back” her sister.
“After three years, it would not be so easy to forgive someone who made us suffer so much,” Mayra Guillén reportedly told the press in Spanish, as per NBC News.
On Monday evening, Mayra Guillén took to social media to share a message to her late sister.
“You received Justice today. @vguillen_30
rest easy sister. Today was such a hard day, I learned so many details regarding your death after the fact of it’s been 3 YEARS. My heart hurts… Cecily Ann Aguilar has received the Maximum sentence of 30 years.”
Additionally, Guillén reflected on the suspect who allegedly murdered her sister, Army Specialist Aaron Robinson. As The Shade Room previously reported, Robinson committed suicide the day Vanessa Guillen’s body was found — almost two months after she disappeared. Robinson ultimately evaded arrest.
Aguilar reportedly was Robinson’s girlfriend.
Congress member Sylvia Garcia also shared a message for those feeling Vanessa Guillén did not receive full justice despite Aguilar’s sentencing.
As The Shade Room previously reported, Vanessa Guillén was last seen at Fort Hood military base on April 22, 2020. Upon investigation, it was discovered that fellow soldier Aaron Robinson reportedly bludgeoned Guillen to death with a hammer in the base’s armory room.
Robinson and Aguilar allegedly transported Guillen’s body off base, dismembered her, and mixed her remains with cement, as reported by NBC News.
“corruptly altering, destroying, mutilating and concealing evidence—that is, the body of Vanessa Guillén—in order to prevent Robinson from being charged with and prosecuted for any crime,” prosecutors alleged of Aguilar’s actions during the murder trial, as per CBS News.
Additionally, Guillén’s family has alleged that Robinson sexually harassed Vanessa before her passing.
As The Shade Room previously reported, Guillén’s death prompted nationwide attention in 2020. Additionally, it sprouted the social media campaigns #FindVanessaGuillén and #JusticeForVanessaGuillén.
Furthermore, the Fort Hood military base underwent investigation, which led to the removal of 14 military leaders and a plethora of reforms that included protocols regarding the sexual harassment of soldiers, as per NBC News.
The base has since been renamed Fort Cavazos.
NBC News notes that the Guillén family filed a lawsuit seeking $35 million in damages for Vanessa Guillén’s wrongful death from the U.S. Defense Department last year. A trial date will reportedly be shared in the upcoming weeks.
