A Texas woman accused of helping mutilate and dispose of the body of 20-year-old Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen, who went missing in April, was charged Thursday (July 2).

Cecily Aguilar, 22, from Killeen, who was the second suspect in Army Specialist Guillen’s disappearance, was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence, federal prosecutors in Western District of Texas said in a statement.

The primary suspect in the case, Army Specialist Aaron Robinson, 20, killed himself when confronted by police Wednesday (July 1).

The partial human remains found in Bell County on Tuesday during a police search were not yet formally identified as Guillen's, prosecutors noted. However, Natalie Khawam, attorney for the Guillen family, said in a press conference Wednesday that they believe the remains belong to her, according to NBC News.

Guillen was reportedly last seen on April 22 in the parking lot of her Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters at Fort Hood army base where she was repairing small arms and artillery. Her car keys, barracks room key, identification card, and wallet were found in the armory room after she went missing.

Investigators said Robinson confessed to Aguilar, the estranged wife of a former Fort Hood soldier, that he killed a woman by hitting her in the head with a hammer and enlisted her help in disposing of the body. Aguilar, who recognized Guillen, helped Robinson bury the body in a remote site in Bell County near the army base.

Aguilar was expected to appear before the court early next week and could face up to 20 years in prison along with a fine worth $250,000 if convicted.

On Thursday, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and California Representative Jackie Speier called for a federal probe into Guillen’s case, the New York Post reported.

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Representational image of a handcuff. Pixabay
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