In a shocking update, the tragic disappearance and then the finding of the death of a Navy sailor have gripped the nation, uncovering cracks within the military’s support and security systems.
See the video and tweet below this post.
The tragic death of Navy sailor Angelina “Angie” Resendiz reveals serious security concerns at Naval Station Norfolk.
The 21-year-old patriot who dreamed of serving her country was found dead in a wooded area after disappearing from her barracks, with another sailor now in custody.
Resendiz, a culinary specialist assigned to the USS James E. Williams, was last seen on May 29 at Miller Hall barracks.
Her disappearance was not officially reported until June 3, when Virginia State Police finally issued a “critically missing adult alert.”
The young sailor joined the Navy in 2023 after graduating from high school, drawn to military service out of patriotic duty.
Her mother, Esmeralda Castle, shared that Angie enlisted “because she felt it was something that called her.”
Resendiz harbored ambitious dreams of using her culinary talents at the highest levels of government.
“She thought that one day she might be able to cook for the president and other world leaders,” her mother told reporters, highlighting the promising future that was tragically cut short.
Authorities discovered Resendiz’s body on June 9 in a wooded area of Norfolk. The Norfolk Medical Examiner confirmed the remains belonged to the missing sailor, ending the search but launching a criminal investigation.
At the same time, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) quickly took another sailor into custody in connection with her death.
“NCIS remains committed to uncovering the facts surrounding the tragic death of Seaman Resendiz to ensure accountability and justice,” NCIS stated.
Particularly concerning are allegations that the Navy failed to act with appropriate urgency when Resendiz initially went missing.
Her mother has criticized military leadership for their handling of the situation, claiming they showed “little compassion or understanding” when her daughter disappeared.
According to reports, the young sailor was last seen with another sailor who also went missing but reappeared on June 2 without her.
“[Resendiz’s] 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,” Resendiz’s mother said.
Castle’s claims that Resendiz’s commander refused to file a missing person’s report deserve a thorough investigation.
The delay in official action cost precious time in locating the young sailor. American service members defending the nation deserve better protection from their own chain of command.
Charges against the detained sailor are pending under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
A GoFundMe campaign established to support Resendiz’s family has raised over $9,000, demonstrating how Americans still rally to support military families in crisis while waiting for the government to provide justice.
Angelina "Angie" Resendiz, a 21-year-old Navy sailor who mysteriously disappeared in Virginia, has been found dead, and another sailor is in custody, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service said. https://t.co/BvbaY5mjLD pic.twitter.com/CYxigZR1T3
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 11, 2025
