A Navy sailor, Jeremiah Copeland, has confessed to strangling fellow sailor, 21-year-old Angelina Resendiz, inside his barracks last year. This admission has provided “peace of mind” for Resendiz’s mother, Esmi Castle. However, it has also prompted questions about whether military leaders missed intervention opportunities before the incident.
Resendiz was found dead in a wooded area near Norfolk, around 10 miles from Naval Station Norfolk, in June 2025. Her mother shared her relief with Fox News Digital after hearing Copeland admit guilt in court.
Now that I know, I don’t have to think about it anymore.
During a general court-martial, Copeland pled guilty to unpremeditated murder, making a false official statement, aggravated assault involving a second victim, and indecent recording involving a third victim, as reported by USNI News. Copeland admitted, “I killed CS3 Resendiz on May 29, 2025… I strangled her with my hands.” Though the medical examiner had previously deemed the cause of death undetermined, Copeland admitted to the act in court.
Under a plea agreement, Copeland faces a minimum of 40 years in prison, dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay, and reduction in rank. Registration as a sex offender is also a requirement.
Castle criticized Navy leadership for not addressing prior concerns regarding Copeland.
If they would have dealt with him when he started harming women, he would never have gotten to Angie.
Castle stated that prior incidents should have triggered stronger actions before her daughter’s death. Records indicate allegations involving Copeland with other women, though not all resulted in guilty pleas.
Before her death, Resendiz was striving to advance her Navy career as a culinary specialist. She aspired to join the Navy’s elite culinary competition team, aiming to cook for presidents and world leaders.
Castle has become an advocate for military sexual violence victims. She lobbies for pathways allowing survivors to pursue claims in civilian courts due to limitations in the military justice system. Castle hopes for reforms as she believes military justice does not always serve victims adequately.
Castle recently attended gatherings in Washington, D.C., alongside other advocates and families, pushing for better accountability regarding military sexual violence.
We have statutes, and we have policies, and we have procedures to protect service members. And nothing’s changed.
Despite the tragedy, Castle doesn’t harbor animosity toward Copeland. After the hearing, she thanked him for admitting the truth and addressed his mother and grandmother.
We technically have all lost our kids.
Castle wishes that Copeland uses his time in prison to change and hoped he realizes he still has choices ahead.
Fox News Digital has requested comment from the U.S. Navy regarding the case.
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