In a heartbreaking and unsettling case, Navy sailor Angelina “Angie” Resendiz mysteriously disappeared from her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk.
Weeks later, the tragic mystery took a devastating turn — Resendiz was found dead, and another sailor has been taken into custody.
The 21-year-old Angie Resendiz was last seen on the morning of May 29 around 10 a.m. at Miller Hall on base. Her mother, Esmeralda Castle, grew deeply concerned, sensing something was terribly wrong. “My daughter doesn’t miss work,” she told ABC News. “Whether she’s sick, it’s snowing, or she’s feeling down, she always shows up.”
Authorities quickly treated the case with urgency, warning that her disappearance posed “a credible threat to their health and safety.”
On June 9, searchers found a body in a wooded area near Norfolk. The following day, officials confirmed what Angie’s mother had feared — the remains belonged to her daughter, according to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
Now, a chilling new development has emerged.
NCIS revealed that another Navy sailor has been “placed in pretrial confinement” in connection with Angie’s death. The suspect’s name has not yet been made public. “Charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice are pending,” NCIS stated. “We remain committed to uncovering the facts and ensuring justice for Seaman Resendiz.”
Originally from Texas, Angie joined the Navy in 2023 after high school, serving as a culinary specialist aboard the USS James E. Williams. According to her mother, it was more than just a career — it was her dream. Angie even hoped one day she might cook for the president and world leaders.
Angie’s vibrant spirit touched everyone she met. “She’s fun, loving, kind, compassionate, uplifting,” her mother said.
In the days following her disappearance, unsettling details began to emerge. Esmeralda shared that people close to Angie told her the last person seen with Angie was also missing — but later returned, while Angie did not.
A GoFundMe page in Angie’s memory has since become a tribute and a call for change. The page highlights concerns about how the military handles missing persons cases, especially involving women in uniform.
“Since her disappearance, the Navy has remained quiet and vague about efforts to find Angie,” the fundraiser states. It also questions why advanced military technology didn’t prevent or resolve her disappearance sooner and criticizes the lack of transparency during the investigation.
So far, the fundraiser has raised over \$12,000 to support the family and advocate for reform.
Rest in peace, sweet soul. Our deepest condolences go out to her family ❤️