Demonstrators gathered in Brockton on Monday afternoon demanding that lawmakers find out the truth after the death of the late Fort Hood soldier, 23-year-old Army Sgt. Elder Fernandes. It’s been one and a half months since his death.
Supporters marched close to 2 miles on the streets of Brockton, in honor of Sgt. Fernandes. Every day that goes by, family members said, the pain is getting unbearable, and they want answers. They say, enough is enough.
On the steps of Brockton High School, Fort Hood Soldier Elder Fernandes’ aunt, & demonstrators are gathering. “We want to shut down Fort Hood. They are killing soldiers.” @boston25 pic.twitter.com/WB7VNIyMd4
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) October 12, 2020
“We still mourning, we still sad. We don’t know what happened to Elder,” said Nilda Neves Fernandes, Elder’s aunt.
On the steps of Brockton High School, Sgt., Neves Fernandes said she still can’t believe her nephew is gone.
>>MORE: Fort Hood soldier’s family claims Army never investigated his computers
“We gave you my blood, my nephew, what are you giving me, just tell me what happened,” said Neves Fernandes.
On Monday afternoon, demonstrators gathered at the high school where Sgt. Fernandes graduated from.
Demonstrators are now leaving Brockton High School, & marching to City hall. “Shut down @fort hood”. #JusticeforSgtElderFernandes @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Cx8Ueq7bkd
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) October 12, 2020
On Sept. 18, Sgt. Fernandes went missing after being released from a Texas hospital.
“We need to know why he went to the hospital. Why was he there, why was it not communicated?” said Neves Fernandes.
>>MORE: Congress investigates Fort Hood following soldier deaths
His family reported him missing immediately, and exactly one week later, the 23-year-old was found hanging from a tree in Temple, Texas, 26 miles away from where the family says, an Army sergeant dropped him off.
“We don’t believe it’s a suicide. He would never do such thing. We loved him too much,” said Neves Fernandes.
In May, Army officials said Sgt. Fernandes reported that he was a victim of sexual assault, but the Army says, it was unfounded.
Now, the big mystery remains, what evidence is left behind in Sgt. Fernandes' computer, iPad, and hard drive.
>>RELATED: Body of Fort Hood soldier from Brockton arrives in Massachusetts
All devices, the family said, investigators never even looked at. Boston 25 News obtained exclusive photos of the devices as they were handed over to an expert.
“It’s this gap that we can’t fill, because we don’t know,” said Neves Fernandes.
The family says, the Army isn’t doing enough to get answers about what really happened to Sgt. Fernandes.
“We want to have a better life. He could’ve been on the street in Brockton killing everybody, no, he chose to serve America,” said Neves Fernandes.
.@forthood Sgt. #ElderFernandes’ Aunt, & demonstrators are making sure their voices are heard in front of @CityOfBrockton. The 23y/o was found hanging from a tree in Temple,TX. Family says “he couldn’t have committed suicide. They killed him, & they’re covering it up.” @boston25 pic.twitter.com/qoAFvImSQd
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) October 12, 2020
Boston 25 News reporter Malini Basu met with Sgt. Fernandes' mother, Aliana. She told Malini, doing the simple things, like eating, sleeping, and drinking water is so difficult, because she lost a part of her.
The family’s attorney, Leonard Kesten, said he will keep relentlessly working this case until justice is served.
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