Navy sailor admits killing fellow service member as mother questions missed warning signs
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A U.S. Navy sailor confessed on Monday to the murder of fellow sailor Angelina Resendiz, aged 21, in his barracks room last year. This admission has provided some solace to Resendiz’s grieving mother, while simultaneously raising questions about whether military leaders missed signs that could have prevented the tragedy.

Esmi Castle, the mother of the victim, expressed to News Agency that Jeremiah Copeland’s courtroom confession has finally shed light on the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death. Resendiz’s body was discovered in a forested area near Norfolk, roughly 10 miles from Naval Station Norfolk, in June 2025. Castle, however, maintains that intervention might have stopped the tragic event.

As reported by USNI News, Copeland entered a guilty plea during a general court-martial for the unpremeditated murder of Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Angelina Resendiz. He also admitted to making a false statement, committing aggravated assault against a second individual, and engaging in indecent recording involving a third person.

This case has drawn significant attention, illustrated by a composite image depicting Naval Station Norfolk and a photograph of Resendiz, which was shared by her family. The guilty plea by a fellow sailor has brought a measure of closure regarding her death.

In the court hearing, Copeland openly confessed to the act of strangling Resendiz on May 29, 2025. He told the military judge, “I killed CS3 Resendiz on May 29, 2025… I strangled her with my hands,” as reported by USNI News. While the medical examiner had initially not determined the cause of death, Copeland’s admission in court confirmed the method of her killing.

Resendiz, portrayed as a dedicated and ambitious culinary specialist in the U.S. Navy by her mother, was focused on advancing her career before her untimely death in 2025. Her family provided a photo capturing her vibrant spirit during her service.

According to Copeland, Resendiz came to his barracks room on May 29, 2025, where the two drank alcohol and kissed before she became upset after seeing something on his phone. Copeland admitted in court Monday that he strangled Resendiz while trying to keep her from attracting the attention of other sailors.

Under the plea agreement, Copeland faces a minimum of 40 years in prison, a dishonorable discharge from the Navy, forfeiture of all pay and a reduction in rank. He will also be required to register as a sex offender, USNI News reported.

Castle said hearing the admission brought “peace of mind” after more than a year of uncertainty.

Angelina Resendiz wears her culinary specialist uniform in a photo provided by her family. Castle said her daughter aspired to join the Navy’s elite culinary competition team and eventually cook for world leaders. (Courtesy of Esmi Castle)

“Now that I know, I don’t have to think about it anymore,” she told News Agency.

Still, Castle argued that Navy leadership failed to adequately respond to earlier allegations involving Copeland.

“If they would have dealt with him when he started harming women, he would never have gotten to Angie,” she said.

Angelina Resendiz works as a culinary specialist while serving in the U.S. Navy. Her mother said she was dedicated to advancing her career and preparing for future promotions. (Courtesy of Esmi Castle)

Castle said she believes multiple incidents involving other women should have triggered stronger action before her daughter’s death. Court records and prior reporting have described allegations involving other women, though not all allegations resulted in guilty pleas.

“Absolutely, yes,” Castle said when asked whether Copeland had a history of harming women. “There were four other women before he harmed Angie in the military.”

Before her death, Resendiz was working to advance her Navy career as a culinary specialist and hoped to one day join the service’s elite culinary competition team. Castle said her daughter dreamed of eventually cooking for presidents and other world leaders.

Angelina Resendiz, center, poses with family members during an outing before her death in 2025. Resendiz’s mother said the 21-year-old sailor hoped to build a long career in the Navy. (Courtesy of Esmi Castle)

“She was trying to grow,” Castle said. “She was doing everything she could to get ready for promotion.”

Since her daughter’s death, Castle has become an outspoken advocate for military sexual violence victims, arguing that active-duty service members often lack meaningful avenues to seek accountability outside the military justice system.

One of her primary goals is creating a pathway for military sexual assault and violence survivors to pursue claims in civilian courts. Castle said victims are too often left with limited options when allegations are mishandled or ignored within the ranks.

Esmi Castle (center, pink jacket), the mother of slain Navy sailor Angelina Resendiz, joins military families and advocates in Washington, D.C., to push for reforms addressing sexual violence and accountability within the armed forces. (Courtesy of Esmi Castle)

“There’s no justice,” Castle said. “Victims are retaliated against. They get transferred. They get moved around.”

Castle recently traveled to Washington, D.C., with advocacy groups and other military families pushing for reforms. Through those efforts, she said she has met relatives of service members from multiple branches whose experiences convinced her the problem extends beyond a single case.

“Nothing’s changed,” Castle said. “We have statutes, and we have policies, and we have procedures that were implemented by Congress to protect service members from this type of violence. And nothing’s changed.”

An aerial view of Naval Station Norfolk and surrounding waterways in Virginia.

An aerial view of Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, where Angelina Resendiz and Jeremiah Copeland were stationed at the time of her death. (Reuters)

News Agency has reached out to the U.S. Navy for comment.

Despite her criticism of the system, Castle said she does not harbor hatred toward Copeland. In fact, after the hearing, she spoke directly with him.

“I thanked him for telling the truth,” she said.

Castle also met with Copeland’s mother and grandmother, who attended the proceedings.

“We technically have all lost our kids,” Castle said.

Rather than expressing anger, Castle said she hopes Copeland uses the decades ahead of him in prison to change.

“He still can choose better,” she said, adding that she told Copeland that even while serving a lengthy prison sentence

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