The case of 21-year-old Navy sailor Angelina Petra Resendiz, who went missing from her Norfolk, Virginia Navy base in May and was later found dead, has taken a significant turn as a suspect has been named.
As Resendiz’s body made its final journey home to Texas, the Navy confirmed that another sailor, Jermiah Copeland, is being detained in connection with her death.
Disappearance and Discovery of Resendiz’s Body
Resendiz was last seen at her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk on May 29, 2025. After over a week of searching, her body was discovered on June 9, 2025, in a wooded area off-base in Norfolk by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, and authorities are still piecing together the events leading to her tragic end.
On June 20, her remains were returned to her home state of Texas. The body was transferred from Virginia to the Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, where it was met by military personnel. She was given military honors during the return, marking the somber end to a life taken too soon.
The Identification of the Suspect
Jermiah Copeland, a fellow sailor, has been named as a suspect in the case. Marshall Griffin, an attorney representing Resendiz’s mother, confirmed that Copeland is currently being detained in connection with the investigation.
The detention occurred following an initial review officer’s hearing at the Naval Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake.
Griffin explained that the purpose of such hearings is to determine if the suspect is a flight risk or if there is sufficient evidence to support charges.
As of now, Copeland remains in pretrial confinement, which is typically ordered for serious charges. The exact charges against him have yet to be made public, as the investigation continues.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The Navy’s legal system will now proceed with further hearings and procedures. According to Griffin, after someone is placed in pretrial confinement, the government has 120 days to officially arraign them.
Additionally, within this period, the Navy will need to hold an Article 32 hearing to determine whether to proceed with a general court-martial, which is reserved for the most serious cases.
Resendiz’s mother, Esmeralda Castle, shared her heartache following the loss of her daughter, stating, “Angelina was a kind and compassionate young woman who brought light into our lives.
The loss has left a void in our hearts.” Castle also made it clear that the person responsible for her daughter’s death made “deliberate choices” and betrayed not only the victim but also basic human decency.
Statement from Resendiz’s Mother
In a statement following the June 16 hearing, Castle expressed her deep grief, calling her daughter’s death a “horrific loss” and stating that the actions that led to it were “not a mistake” but a betrayal of trust.
She added, “They were a betrayal of trust, of duty, and of basic human decency.” Castle’s words reflect the pain and anger felt by her family, who are still grappling with the devastating loss.
Moving Forward
As the investigation into Resendiz’s death continues, the Navy has assured that it will do everything in its power to ensure justice is served. The case has drawn attention to the tragic and too often overlooked dangers faced by service members, especially in cases involving fellow soldiers.
The Navy’s ongoing investigation will hopefully bring clarity to the circumstances surrounding Resendiz’s death and provide answers for her grieving family.
