Young Navy Sailor Angelina Resendiz Found Dead in Virginia Forest as Fellow Sailor Held in Custody

Mystery Deepens Around the Death of 21-Year-Old Angelina Resendiz

A quiet community at Naval Station Norfolk has been shaken after the tragic discovery of a missing 21-year-old Navy sailor, Angelina “Angie” Resendiz. The young sailor, who vanished late last month, was found dead in a wooded area in Norfolk, Virginia. Another sailor has been taken into custody in connection with her death as an investigation unfolds.

A Sudden Disappearance from Naval Barracks

Angelina Resendiz, a native of Texas, was last seen during the early morning hours of May 29 at Miller Hall, her assigned barracks on base. Her sudden disappearance sparked widespread concern, with family and friends pleading for information as search efforts intensified over the days that followed.

Resendiz served as a culinary specialist aboard the USS James E. Williams, a guided missile destroyer. She joined the Navy in 2023 shortly after finishing high school, inspired by a desire to serve her country and pursue a meaningful career. According to her mother, she had big dreams—one day hoping to cook for national leaders, perhaps even the president.

A Grim Discovery in the Woods

The search ended on a tragic note when Resendiz’s body was located in a wooded area on June 10. Investigators confirmed the identity of the remains shortly afterward. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has since revealed that another sailor is in custody and has been placed in pretrial confinement. The individual’s identity and specific charges have not yet been made public, but military justice proceedings are expected to follow.

NCIS issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to uncovering the full truth behind Resendiz’s death, noting that charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice are currently pending. The investigation remains active, with officials working to piece together what happened in the days leading up to the sailor’s disappearance.

A Family’s Grief and Unanswered Questions

For Resendiz’s family, the news has brought heartbreak and more questions than answers. Her mother, Esmeralda Castle, described her daughter as determined, passionate, and full of promise. In messages shared during the search, she revealed that those close to Angie had informed her of someone else being missing alongside her in the initial days—though that individual reappeared days later, while Angie remained unaccounted for.

“I just want my kid,” Castle said in a statement filled with anguish. “There are no answers for me.”

A Promising Life Cut Short

Resendiz’s short time in the Navy was marked by hard work and aspirations beyond the ordinary. Shipmates and loved ones described her as deeply motivated, someone who gave her best in every assignment. Her death is not only a personal tragedy for her family but also a painful reminder of the unseen challenges some service members may face.

As authorities continue their investigation, the Navy community mourns the loss of one of its own—taken too soon, under disturbing and unclear circumstances. More details are expected to emerge in the coming days as justice takes its course. For now, those who knew Angie remember her as a young woman with a bright future, gone far too soon.