Norfolk, VA — A heartbreaking development has emerged in the case of Angelina “Angie” Resendiz, a 21-year-old U.S. Navy sailor who had been missing since May 29. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) confirmed that her body was discovered on Monday in a wooded area in Norfolk, Virginia, and positively identified on Tuesday.
Resendiz, a Texas native and culinary specialist assigned to the USS James E. Williams, was last seen the morning of May 29 at her barracks in Miller Hall at Naval Station Norfolk. Her sudden disappearance prompted a widespread search and concern within the Navy and her home community.
In a tragic turn, another Navy sailor has been taken into custody in connection with her death. NCIS reported that the individual has been placed in pretrial confinement, and charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) are pending. The suspect’s identity has not been released at this time.
“NCIS remains committed to uncovering the facts surrounding the tragic death of Seaman Resendiz to ensure accountability and justice,” the agency said in an official statement.
Resendiz joined the Navy in 2023, following her high school graduation in Texas. According to her mother, Esmeralda Castle, Angie felt a calling to serve and pursued her role as a culinary specialist with ambition and pride.
“She thought that one day she might be able to cook for the president and other world leaders,” Castle told ABC News. “She worked really hard on her ship.”
Castle also shared that friends of Angie expressed concern after her disappearance, noting that the last person seen with her had been missing at the same time — but reappeared days later, while Angie did not. That detail added to the family’s anxiety as they searched for answers.
“There are no answers for me,” Castle said through her grief. “I just want my kid.”
The investigation is ongoing, and NCIS is working in coordination with military and local authorities to gather all facts surrounding the case.
As the Navy community and Resendiz’s loved ones mourn her loss, tributes continue to pour in for a young sailor remembered for her dedication, dreams, and quiet strength.
