Congressman Gonzalez Leads 16 Congressional Hispanic Caucus Colleagues in Demanding Answers from Navy Secretary Concerning Tragic Death of Valley Native, Seaman Angelina Petra Resendiz

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced that he led a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, concerning the tragic and disturbing death of Seaman Angelina Resendiz. More than a dozen Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus joined the Congressman in demanding answers regarding the circumstances surrounding Seaman Resendiz’s death and the Navy’s ongoing investigation into the matter.

The letter reads, “As you may know, on May 29, 2025, Angelina P. Resendiz, a 21-year-old sailor from Brownsville, Texas, went missing from her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia…Despite early warnings from her colleagues, friends, and family, the U.S. Navy did not classify Seaman Resendiz as a missing person until June 3, 2025, at which point the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Virginia State Police were involved. Tragically, on June 9, 2025, her body was found in a wooded area behind an elementary school 10 miles from Naval Station Norfolk. The Navy has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of the men and women who take an oath to defend our country. When a service member goes missing, their next of kin should be provided with relevant and accurate information as soon as possible, and an investigation should be launched immediately. 

This letter follows the Congressman’s meeting with Seaman Resendiz’s mother in Washington, DC. Congressman Gonzalez is committed to doing everything in his power to bring justice, peace, and accountability to Ms. Resendiz’s family.

The letter is also signed by Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09), Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31), and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21). 

Read the full letter here.  

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