U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy John Phelan about Resendiz’s death.
The senators requested a briefing from the Navy and more information about the period of Resendiz’s disappearance and death and the Navy’s adherence to policies and procedures. They also expressed concerns regarding public accounts of the condition of Resendiz’s remains upon arrival in Texas.
“We write to inquire about the Navy’s handling of the tragic death of Seaman Angelina P. Resendiz. While we acknowledge the Navy’s engagement with congressional offices to date, ongoing questions and concerns related to the period of her disappearance, the circumstances leading to her death, and the Navy’s policies and procedures throughout, demand answers,” the senators wrote.
The senators encouraged the Navy to provide Congress with more detail about Resendiz’s death as the investigation continues, including a full account of the Navy’s engagement with Resendiz’s loved ones and fellow sailors.
“We urge you to provide clarity around the actions taken by the Navy upon first learning of Seaman Resendiz’s absence, and Navy leaders’ adherence to a range of protocols and procedures … we ask for detail on what investigative steps were taken, and when, by the Navy and its Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), as well as the interactions with local and Virginia State Police. We have serious questions as to what policies and procedures govern dignified transfer of remains after an investigation, and whether those were followed in this instance,” the senators wrote.
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Rebecca Barnabi
