Arrest in 2001 Murder of a pregnant soldier; The family at Wylie reacts

The US Department of Justice announced the arrest in 2001 murder of a pregnant soldier at a military base. in Germany.

“The last 24 hours have been an emotional roller coaster,” said Mike Bates. “It’s a relief.”

Gloria Bates fought back tears as she talked about the call from the authorities.

“It’s a sense of relief,” she said. “I feel like we bought a ticket for a roller coaster, and we’re waiting for this ride to come along, and the ride comes up, and they’re like, ‘Get in. It’s time to go” and now we’re driving and we’re holding on.”

According to her mother, Gonzalez’s biological father passed away several years ago. Mike Bates married Gloria when Amanda was 4 years old.

The Bates visited Gonzalez’s grave near their hometown of Bryan College Station just before Valentine’s Day with the same promise.

“I’m like, we’re still here. Your dad is with you and we’re going to get through this. We’re going to end it, and then it happened, and it’s like I’m crying these tears of happiness,” she said. “Wishing no one would give up. Don’t give up because justice has been served.

The Justice Department announced Thursday the arrest of former military member Shannon Wilkerson.

Wilkerson, now 42, has been charged with first-degree murder in the November 2001 death of Gonzalez at a former US Army base in Hanau, Germany.

Gonzalez, 19, was four months pregnant when her parents tell NBC 5 she was beaten and choked to death with her own pants in a barracks room.

Her body was discovered after she didn’t show up for work.

Gonzalez received her first assignment in the army and was assigned to the supply company of the headquarters of the 127th division.^th Aviation Support Battalion as a cook, The FBI told NBC News..

The news of Wilkerson’s arrest, according to the Bates, came as no surprise to former soldiers who contacted them.

“They said: “We knew it. It was he. We knew all along that it was him. Why did it take so long?” Bates said.

The couple say that Gonzalez was in a relationship with Wilkerson, who was married at the time. She told them that she was pregnant by another soldier.

“Her name would be Alicia Marie,” Grandma said.

The Bates say they will be seeking a second murder charge against Wilkerson in connection with the death of their future grandson.

Wilkerson was discharged from the army three years after the assassination and lives in Florida.

The Bates say they don’t know what led to Thursday’s arrest or possible motives.

Wilkerson is charged under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, according to the Justice Department. It gives U.S. federal courts jurisdiction over crimes committed outside the U.S. by former military personnel.

The Bates say they will be flying to Pensacola, Florida next week for Wilkerson’s federal custody hearing.

“This is the first time we’ll see him face to face,” Bates said. “We want to make sure he sees us and knows we are there and we want justice to be done. It is high time”.

Wilkerson pleaded not guilty. If convicted of murder, Wilkerson faces the maximum life sentence.