Missing Navy Sailor Found Dead in Norfolk: Fellow Sailor in Custody Amid Family's Outcry Over Military Failures
21-Year-Old Angelina Resendiz’s Death Sparks Demands for Justice and Congressional Investigation Into Navy's Handling of Disappearance
The body of 21-year-old U.S. Navy sailor Angelina Petra Resendiz, who vanished from her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk on May 29, has been found in a wooded area of Norfolk, Virginia. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) confirmed the discovery on June 11 and announced that another sailor is currently in pretrial custody in connection with her death. Charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) are pending.
Resendiz, a culinary specialist assigned to the USS James E. Williams, was reported missing on June 3 after her disappearance went unnoticed for several days. The Virginia State Police issued a "critically missing adult alert" at the request of NCIS, launching a joint investigation involving multiple agencies.
The Norfolk Medical Examiner identified the remains as Resendiz’s on June 10, a day after they were discovered in a wooded area within the city.
Family Criticizes Navy’s Handling of Disappearance
Resendiz’s mother, Esmerelda Castle, has spoken out forcefully against the Navy, accusing them of mishandling her daughter’s case from the outset. In a statement reported by WTKR, Castle said:
"Her colleagues, friends, and even authorities knew she was missing, but the response was minimal, and after her friends filed a missing person's report when her commander would not, they showed little compassion or understanding.
This callousness led to [Resendiz’s] death, which cannot be tolerated."
Castle revealed to WAVY-TV that she was not officially informed of her daughter’s disappearance by the Navy, but rather by fellow sailors and through the media. She recounted a disturbing call she made to Resendiz’s ship in an effort to locate her:
“I called the ship and spoke to the officer on deck. He told me that Angie was there, that they found Angie. She was in another room. I was traumatized.”
Speaking to 10 On Your Side's Ethan Krauss on June 7, Castle described her initial fear and heartbreak:
“She talks to somebody every day,” Castle said. “Her and my sister have a 400-day streak on Snapchat, and it all stopped on Thursday. She doesn’t miss work.”
Castle also said she suspects who may have killed her daughter:
“Monday, the person that she was with that night, that Thursday night, he hadn’t been showing up to work and then he showed up to work Monday and she did not show up for work.”
Family Calls for Federal Action and Systemic Reform
The Resendiz family released a public statement on June 10, calling for urgent federal intervention and military accountability:
“Her disappearance has left a void in their hearts, and they refuse to let her suffering be in vain. The family is calling on the assistance of the United States government, Senator Mark Warner, Senator Tim Kaine, the Hampton Roads congressional delegation, home congressman Vicente Gonzalez, and President Donald J. Trump to address the systemic issues that allowed her to vanish without justice since May 29, 2025.”
The family further condemned what they describe as dangerous oversights in Navy procedure:
“There was an oversight that put Angelina’s life at risk, emphasizing the urgent need to address how official channels failed to notify them promptly and properly, relying instead on unofficial sources like the media, which underscores deep systemic failures.”
“If the Navy cannot notify families properly and instead relies on unofficial sources, treating such incidents as inconveniences rather than emergencies, then Congress must investigate what has gone wrong.
The Navy’s failures threaten all families and the integrity of our military system, and Congress must reform these processes to prevent future tragedies, for the safety of all families, and for the integrity of our nation.”
NCIS Responds to Allegations
In a statement issued Tuesday, NCIS confirmed that another sailor is in pretrial confinement and said that the investigation is ongoing. No name or details have been released at this time.
"NCIS has worked tirelessly in close coordination with Navy leadership, the Norfolk Police Department, Virginia State Police, Virginia Search and Rescue, and numerous other federal and local law enforcement partners to pursue all leads since learning of Seaman Resendiz’s disappearance," said an NCIS spokesperson.
"NCIS remains committed to uncovering the facts surrounding the tragic death of Seaman Resendiz to ensure accountability and justice."
Community Support
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support the Resendiz family has raised more than $9,000 as of June 11. Public sentiment has called for justice, transparency, and systemic changes within the military's response protocols for missing service members.
Timeline of Events
May 29, 2025: Seaman Resendiz is last seen in her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk around 10 a.m.
May 30–June 2, 2025: Friends and family grow concerned after losing contact with her; she misses work.
June 3, 2025: Resendiz is officially reported missing. Virginia State Police issue a critically missing adult alert.
June 9, 2025: Human remains are found in a wooded area in Norfolk.
June 10, 2025: Medical Examiner confirms the body belongs to Angelina Resendiz.
June 11, 2025: NCIS confirms another sailor is in pretrial confinement in connection with her death; investigation continues.
This tragic case has ignited widespread concern over military accountability, family notification procedures, and response protocols for missing service members. As NCIS continues its investigation, the Resendiz family and much of the public await answers—and justice.