Former US Army Soldier Convicted in Decades-Old Murder of Pregnant Soldier

Shannon Wilkerson, a former US Army soldier, has been convicted of second-degree murder in the beating and strangling death of 19-year-old Pfc. Amanda Gonzales in 2001. Gonzales was four months pregnant with Wilkerson's child at the time of her death.

A former US Army soldier has been convicted in the decades-old murder of a pregnant soldier in Germany. Shannon Wilkerson, 43, was found guilty of second-degree murder on Monday in the beating and strangling death of 19-year-old Pfc. Amanda Gonzales.

The crime took place in Gonzales' barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne – a former Army base in Hanau, Germany – in November 2001. Her body was found on Nov. 5 after she didn't show up to her job as a cook in the Headquarters Supply Company of the 127th Aviation Support battalion.

Wilkerson was a soldier at the time of Gonzales' murder, but he was discharged from active duty in 2004. He was arrested on Feb. 23, 2023, and charged under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which gives U.S. federal courts jurisdiction over crimes committed outside the country by former servicemembers who are no longer subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

According to Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan Jr. of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch, Wilkerson believed Gonzales was pregnant with his child at the time of the murder.

"Twenty-two years ago, Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, who he believed was pregnant with his child," Langan said in a statement. "Yesterday’s conviction is a testament to our unwavering commitment of pursuing justice for victims of violent crime. Through the collaboration of law enforcement, the FBI and our partners will continue to seek justice for victims, no matter how long it takes."

Wilkerson is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8 and faces life in prison.

The case against Wilkerson was the result of a long investigation by the FBI and the Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section.

"This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime, no matter how long ago the crime occurred," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "We hope that this verdict brings a measure of closure to Amanda Gonzales' family and friends."

The conviction of Wilkerson is a reminder that violent crimes committed by former servicemembers will not be tolerated. The Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act allows federal prosecutors to pursue charges against former servicemembers who have committed crimes outside the United States.

"The Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act is an important tool for ensuring that former servicemembers who commit crimes overseas are held accountable," said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Jason Coody. "We will continue to use this law to prosecute those who have committed heinous crimes."

According to the FBI, missing persons cases involving servicemembers are particularly difficult to solve because of the transient nature of military life. However, the FBI is committed to investigating these cases and bringing justice to the victims and their families.

"The FBI is committed to investigating missing persons cases involving servicemembers," said FBI Special Agent in Charge David Couvertier. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to solve these cases and bring closure to the families of the victims."