LULAC DEMANDS FULL TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE DEATH OF NAVY SERVICEMEMBER ANGELINA RESENDIZ

Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Urges Investigation Into the Tragic Case of Latina First Reported to be AWOL, Similar to Vanessa Guillén

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the tragic death of Angelina Resendiz, a 21-year-old Latina sailor from Brownsville, Texas, whose body was discovered near Naval Station Norfolk on June 10. Resendiz's disappearance on May 29 and the mishandling of her case by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) have drawn national scrutiny and painfully echoed the systemic failures exposed by the Vanessa Guillén case in 2020.

"On behalf of LULAC, I write with deep concern and sorrow over the death of Seaman Angelina Resendiz," said Roman Palomares, national president and chairman of the board. "The delays, miscommunication, and lack of urgency surrounding her disappearance are unacceptable and eerily reminiscent of the failures that led us to fight for the I Am Vanessa Guillén Act five years ago."

Despite early warnings from Resendiz's colleagues and family, she was initially marked AWOL, not as a missing person. A missing person's alert was not issued until six days later, and the family has reported false reassurances suggesting she had been found alive. Her mother, Esmeralda Castle, led the search herself without meaningful support from the Navy or NCIS. A fellow sailor is now in custody, with charges pending under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

LULAC has formally written to Secretary of the Navy John P. Phalen demanding a public response and complete investigation and has alerted senior leadership at the U.S. Department of Defense and the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

LULAC supports the Resendiz family and is demanding the following actions:

1. A thorough and transparent investigation into the death of Seaman Resendiz, including a public timeline and accountability for every step of the Navy's and NCIS's response.
2. UCMJ accountability for any supervisors or command personnel who failed to take appropriate action.
3. An explanation for why she was initially declared AWOL rather than listed as missing.
4. Immediately confirm any non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that service members were asked to sign relating to this case.
5. A formal review of Naval Station Norfolk's sexual assault and harassment procedures, especially as they relate to women of color.
6. A public apology and acknowledgment of the mishandling and miscommunication with the family.
7. Full enforcement of the I Am Vanessa Guillén Act, with its protections actively applied to this and other similar cases.
8. Collaboration on a Civilian Family Guide to support loved ones navigating institutional barriers after military tragedies.
9. Continued transparency and access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for the Resendiz family.

"We stood with the Guillén family when the system failed their daughter, and we now stand with the Resendiz family," said Palomares. "It is not enough to mourn. Action must follow. Our Latino service members deserve to be protected, respected, and never abandoned."

In support of the family's ongoing efforts, LULAC encourages the public to contribute to the official fundraiser:
Support Esmeralda's Search for Angie Resendiz – GoFundMe

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit www.LULAC.org.