The family of Houston native Vanessa Guillen has filed a lawsuit against the US Government asking for $35 million in damages.
has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Government asking for $35 million in damages. The lawsuit follows a Thursday decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that previously barred military service members to sue for sexual assault.
"I feel like they would only act and put harsher punishments or, in reality, provide the accountability needed once they see that money is involved. And that's the sad truth," said Mayra. The lawsuit was filed Friday under the Federal Torts Claims Act. It says that Vanessa Guillen suffered from mental anguish, emotional distress, physical injury and eventually died as a result of that continued rape and abuse from fellow service members.
Authorities say Vanessa went missing in April 2020. Her body was found two months later dismembered and burned. Her case has sparked national attention and motivated other victims in the military to speak their truth.