The body of Navy Seaman Angelina Resendiz, who had been missing for over a week, was discovered in a wooded area of Norfolk, Virginia, on Thursday.
The 21-year-old culinary specialist, stationed at Naval Station Norfolk, was last seen on May 29 around 10 p.m. at her barracks in Miller Hall. The local medical examiner confirmed the identity of the body as that of Resendiz.
Investigation and Arrest
In connection with her death, Navy officials placed a sailor in pretrial confinement. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) confirmed that charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice are pending.
The agency has worked tirelessly, in collaboration with Navy leadership, local law enforcement, Virginia State Police, and Virginia Search and Rescue, to investigate Resendiz’s disappearance and death.
The NCIS emphasized its commitment to uncovering the facts surrounding Resendiz’s death to ensure justice and accountability. They noted that the investigation remains ongoing and more details would be withheld for now to respect the investigative process.
A Loving Daughter Gone Too Soon
Resendiz’s mother, Esmeralda Castle, spoke to the media, describing her daughter as “loving” and “kind.” Castle explained that it was unlike her daughter to stop responding to calls or texts, noting a 400-day Snapchat streak between Resendiz and her sister.
This made the sudden silence even more concerning for the family. “Her and my sister have a 400-day streak on Snapchat. Every single day she talks to somebody. She talks to family, or she will talk to a friend,” Castle said.
Resendiz did not have a car and was reported missing after failing to show up for work. Her disappearance, which included no spending activity or communication, left her family in a state of disbelief. “She just stopped existing Thursday.
She’s spent no money, made no calls. She disappeared,” Castle said. “It’s very hard to tell people that she’s missing.”
A Tragic Loss
Resendiz’s death has left her family devastated, and her disappearance has drawn attention to the challenges faced by those in the military, particularly when members go missing under mysterious circumstances. The NCIS investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are working to understand the circumstances surrounding her tragic death.