Angelina Resendiz's mother speaks out after memorial service in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A memorial service was held Tuesday at Naval Station Norfolk for a local sailor who was reported missing and later found dead in Norfolk.

The mother of Angelina Resendiz, Esmeralda Castle, traveled to Norfolk for the service. She spoke with WAVY after.

"They did it for her, they did it for the shipmates, to help them grieve and mourn and have some type of closure for her," Castle said. "It meant a lot to them for me to be there, so that's why I came — for them."

She said there were probably at least 100 people in attendance. She said the commanding officer spoke at the service. Afterwards, Castle was able to hug each shipmate who worked with Resendiz.

"One of them was apologizing, wishing they'd done more to protect her," Castle said. "I had to reassure them that it's OK. It's OK. They did what they could. They needed a hug just as much as I did."

Resendiz had not been seen since May 29. The Navy said she was last seen in her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk. On June 9, a body was found in Norfolk's Broad Creek neighborhood. The next day, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service identified the body as Resendiz's.

Esmeralda Castle visits the spot where her daughter, Angelina Resendiz was found. (Photo courtesy of KMK Productions)

Tuesday, Castle echoed her frustrations with the Navy regarding the lack of accountability and transparency she felt there has been.

"Nothing has changed," Castle saidm referencing the day her daughter's body was found. "It is quiet. I know just as much then as I know now. I don't know how it happened. I don't know where it happened."

Castle, Resendiz’s mother, was in D.C. recently with the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, for a news conference surrounding a variety of issues regarding her disappearance.

The issues include a public timeline and accountability from the Navy and NCIS, disclosure of non-disclosure agreements service members were required to sign involving the case, collaboration on a civilian family guide and access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act for the Resendiz family, among others.

“I’m [also] outraged because what happened to Angelina was not just a tragedy but a preventable failure,” said Juan Proaño, the CEO of LULAC. “Her disappearance on May 29 was mishandled from the start. Instead of immediately treating Angie as a missing person in danger, the Navy reportedly marked [her] as AWOL and waited six days before filing a missing person's report, … even giving her family false reassurances that she may still be alive.”

LULAC has demanded a full investigation into what it stated were apparent delays, miscommunications and lack of urgency from the Navy. In addition, LULAC has written the Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, demanding answers.

A suspect, Jermiah Copeland, is in custody in connection with the case. WAVY reached out to NCIS for details on his military career. NCIS Public Affairs confirmed Copeland enlisted in July 2023. He was assigned to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) from Dec. 30, 2023 until Jan. 22, 2025. Two days later he reported to USS James E. Williams (DDG 95). Resendiz was also assigned to USS James E. Williams. Resendiz was a culinary specialist.

The video above is WAVY's full interview Tuesday, July 8 with Angelina Resendiz' mother.