Solidarity — During a meeting on Monday of the local LULAC Chapter, Esmeralda Cantu-Castle, the mother of slain servicewoman Angelina “Angie” Petra Resendiz, recalls the events leading to and after her daughter’s death. (San Benito News/Ray Quiroga)
By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 22347 – Juan Rivera Sr. & Veterans, based in San Benito, hosted Esmeralda Cantu-Castle, the mother of slain US Navy Seaman Angelina “Angie” Petra Resendiz, as guest speaker on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
The talk commenced at 6:30 p.m. during the organization’s regularly scheduled meeting held at a member’s San Benito home, which was standing room only by the end of the evening, filled with members, guests, and dignitaries.
On October 13, Cantu-Castle announced her candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives District 37 seat.
Running as a Democrat, she aims to represent most of Cameron and all of Willacy counties in the Rio Grande Valley. Republican, San Benito native, and former San Benito CISD School Board Trustee Janie Lopez currently holds the seat.
Cantu-Castle said that she decided to run because she felt “called to do so” following her daughter’s death.
She also credits her former employer and mentor, Brownsville attorney John Shergold for encouraging her to run for office.
The candidate said that, if elected, she hopes to not only continue her advocacy for service members but also fight for families, especially single-parent families, in her district.
She’ll also push industries and companies such as SpaceX and Rio Grande Valley LNG to pay their fair share in taxes and work to prevent granting them significant tax breaks. Additionally, she will work to hold them accountable, particularly regarding environmental issues.
Cantu-Castle, a law student and paralegal, admits to being new to the political arena and lacking the organization and financial backing of other candidates, but she believes that “the people” will make a difference in this election cycle and will back her, regardless.
While news of her candidacy was previously reported, Cantu-Castle announced her intent to run for office towards the conclusion of her presentation during Monday evening’s meeting, which largely focused on her experience revolving around her daughter’s murder at the alleged hands of a fellow serviceman, a retelling which brought many in the room to tears Monday night.
Representatives from the Resaca City LULAC chapter traveled to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Price Rd. in Brownsville on a hot summer Friday afternoon in support of the family of the fallen seaman during her burial.
“We’re here today to support the family in their loss,” said Elias Cantu, Communications Director for LULAC Council 22347 during the service. “We’re here as a council, from the council from San Benito, and we’re here with the Weslaco council as well, knowing that the family met with LULAC National Leadership and President Roman Palomares earlier in Washington DC demanding a thorough investigation into what happened.”
Resendiz’s body was recovered on June 9, 2025, a week after she went missing from a naval base in Norfolk, Virginia. A male suspect, identified as Jeremiah Copeland, has been charged with her murder. He remains in naval custody pending his day in military court.
The body of the Norfolk-based sailor who was found dead in the woods near her base was returned to her family in shocking condition, her mother told the media during an earlier press conference.
The Culinary Specialist, age 21, was discovered by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS, after being reported missing May 29 from her barracks in Miller Hall on Naval Station, Norfolk. She was assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer James E. Williams.
Resendiz’s family is asking for further investigation into what they perceive as systemic failures that resulted in a delay from the time she went missing to the time her mother was notified of her daughter’s disappearance. Castle also said that her daughter knew her alleged killer and previously reported him to her superiors.
Castle courageously spoke during her daughter’s funeral, saying that she’s drawing strength from her faith and that she genuinely believes that her daughter has transcended this existence and is “sitting alongside the Lord,” further describing her daughter as “a light to those who knew her.”
Bob Farmer, 1st Counselor of the Treasure Hills Bishopric who presided during the service, recognized several dignitaries or their representatives in attendance, including Ana Garcia, Regional Director for U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s Office in Harlingen; Patrick Roberts, District Deputy Director for the Office of Representative Monica De La Cruz; Brenda Bossom Watson, representing State Senator Adam Hinojosa; and a representative for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz’s office, as well as several area dignitaries, including Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. and Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino.
Struggling to hold back tears, an emotional Farmer concluded the service by urging public servants to hold themselves accountable to Resendiz’s memory and her family by helping deliver justice and answers, and by making sure that similar incidents don’t happen again, adding, “You work for us.”
Resendiz was given full military honors, including a 21-gun salute and an honor guard presentation of the American Flag to her mother after the ceremony.
Cantu-Castle, who stayed remarkably composed during the service, was overwhelmed with grief when presented with the flag.
The candidate, whose husband, a military veteran who took his own life, told the NEWS during an interview after her presentation, that she wouldn’t recommend potential recruits to join the armed forces until the military improves its safety record for recruits, noting that her daughter’s alleged assailant had multiple serious infractions against women prior to allegedly killing her daughter.
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