PENSACOLA, FL – A former member of the U.S. Army faces life in federal prison after being convicted by a jury of second-degree murder for the killing of Pfc. Amanda Gonzales, a 19-year-old pregnant soldier from Texas stationed in Hanau, Germany, back in 2001. Shannon Wilkerson, now 43, was found guilty in a decades-long cold case investigation that finally saw justice served for the victim and her unborn child.

The case against Wilkerson was brought over 21 years after the murder at the Fliegerhorst Kaserne army base, where he allegedly strangled Gonzales in her room. The prosecution argued that the defendant, at the time a 21-year-old U.S. soldier, believed Gonzales was carrying his child. The jury verdict, though not for first-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, still held Wilkerson accountable for the brutal slaying.

U.S. Attorney Jason Coody described the murder as a “horrific act of violence,” emphasizing the commitment of law enforcement in seeking justice for Gonzales and her family. The conviction of Wilkerson, more than two decades later, highlights the persistence and dedication of authorities in pursuing accountability for such heinous crimes.

The case’s resolution comes as a relief for Gonzales’ relatives, who have long awaited closure. Families of military victims, including Gonzales and Vanessa Guillen, another soldier murdered by a fellow service member, have found solace in the long-awaited prosecution of those responsible for their loved ones’ deaths.

As sentencing approaches for Wilkerson, the possibility of a life sentence looms. The August 8 hearing before U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II marks the final chapter in a painful saga of loss and delayed justice, providing some measure of resolution for the families involved.