A missing Navy sailor from Naval Station Norfolk has been found deceased in a forested area of Virginia, and another sailor has been detained in connection with her death, as reported by military investigators.
Seaman Angelina Petra Resendiz, 21, was found on Monday, June 9, 2025, in a wooded area located in the Broad Creek neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia. The Norfolk Medical Examiner confirmed her identity on Tuesday, June 10.
Resendiz was last seen on Thursday, May 29, around 10 a.m. at her barracks at Miller Hall, Naval Station Norfolk. She was reported missing on June 3, prompting the Virginia State Police to issue a critical missing adult alert on behalf of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
A Navy sailor has been placed in pretrial confinement concerning Resendiz’s death, according to NCIS. Charges are forthcoming, and the detained sailor will be tried under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Authorities have not disclosed the name of the sailor in custody.
Resendiz served as a culinary specialist on the USS James E. Williams, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer stationed at Naval Station Norfolk. She joined the ship in February 2024 after enlisting in the Navy in August 2023.
The investigation involved coordination among multiple agencies to locate the missing sailor. NCIS worked closely with Navy leadership, the Norfolk Police Department, Virginia State Police, Virginia Search and Rescue, and other federal and local law enforcement partners during the search.
Resendiz’s mother, Esmerelda Castle, traveled from Harlingen, Texas, to Norfolk on June 5 to aid in the search for her daughter. While visiting the barracks, Castle found her daughter’s personal items undisturbed, including a running fan, food, and a yoga mat. She also noted that there had been no transactions from her daughter’s accounts since May 29.
Castle expressed dissatisfaction with the Navy’s response to her daughter’s disappearance. She mentioned that her daughter’s colleagues and friends were aware she was missing, but the response was minimal. According to Castle, authorities showed little empathy after friends filed a missing persons report, despite the commander not doing so. She stated this lack of response contributed to her daughter’s death, which she deemed unacceptable.
The family described Resendiz’s disappearance as highly uncharacteristic. Castle noted that her daughter maintained regular communication with family, including a 400-day Snapchat streak with her sister. Castle remarked, “She just stopped existing Thursday.”
Before her disappearance, Resendiz did not drive and lacked access to a vehicle. Family emphasized her commitment to the Navy and her role as a culinary specialist, making her absence particularly concerning.
The body was found about nine miles from the naval base during the ongoing search. Norfolk Police assisted NCIS in responding to the report of a body found in the wooded area. The Norfolk Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy during the identification process.
NCIS affirmed its dedication to uncovering the facts surrounding Resendiz’s death to ensure accountability and justice. The agency stated it had worked diligently since learning of the sailor’s disappearance and will continue its investigation.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Castle during her search efforts, raising nearly $15,000 as of Thursday morning, June 19. Castle had planned to organize a protest advocating for military reform regarding missing women cases, voicing concerns about the Navy’s search efforts given the available technology.
The family issued a statement describing Resendiz as a caring and dedicated individual who prioritized the well-being of her family and others. Her absence has caused significant grief for those who knew her.
Naval Surface Forces, which oversees the Navy’s destroyers, confirmed their full cooperation with the NCIS investigation. The organization reiterated that the safety and welfare of all sailors remains their top priority.
