The Murder of Anjelica Hadsell - 593
The Murder of Anjelica Hadsell - 593
3Digest
The podcast delves into the disappearance of AJ Hadsel, a young woman from Norfolk, Virginia. The episode begins with a brief introduction and then provides background information on AJ's life, including her family, education, and athletic achievements. The podcast then details the initial investigation into AJ's disappearance, including interviews with family and friends, surveillance footage analysis, and the involvement of law enforcement agencies. A significant turning point in the investigation occurs when a friend of AJ's finds a piece of her credit card and her jacket at the home of another friend, Corey French. However, the investigation shifts focus to AJ's stepfather, Wesley Hadsel, who has a history of criminal activity and appears to be actively involved in the investigation. Police eventually arrest Wesley Hadsel and find ammunition, drugs, and other evidence in his hotel room. Using Wesley Hadsel's GPS, police locate an abandoned house where AJ's body is eventually found. The podcast discusses the discovery of AJ's body, the autopsy results, and the ongoing investigation into her death. The episode reconstructs the timeline of AJ's abduction, based on evidence gathered by investigators, and presents a theory of what happened. The podcast describes Wesley Hadsel's guilty plea to a federal ammunition charge and the subsequent trial for AJ's murder. The podcast concludes with a discussion of Zachariah Hoffer, AJ's former stepfather, and his perspective on the case, as expressed on his website.
Outlines
The Disappearance of AJ Hadsel
The podcast explores the disappearance of AJ Hadsel, a young woman from Norfolk, Virginia, providing background information on her life and the initial investigation into her disappearance.
The Investigation and Suspicious Discoveries
The podcast details the initial investigation into AJ's disappearance, including interviews with family and friends, surveillance footage analysis, and the involvement of law enforcement agencies. It highlights the discovery of evidence at Corey French's home and the subsequent shift in focus to Wesley Hadsel as the prime suspect.
Wesley Hadsel's Arrest and the Search for AJ
The podcast describes Wesley Hadsel's arrest and the subsequent search of his hotel room, where police find ammunition, drugs, and other evidence. It explains how police use Wesley Hadsel's GPS to locate an abandoned house where AJ's body is eventually found.
AJ's Death and the Investigation Continues
The podcast discusses the discovery of AJ's body, the autopsy results, and the ongoing investigation into her death. It reconstructs the timeline of AJ's abduction and presents a theory of what happened.
Wesley Hadsel's Trial and Conviction
The podcast describes Wesley Hadsel's guilty plea to a federal ammunition charge and the subsequent trial for AJ's murder. It details the evidence presented at trial and the outcome of the case.
Zachariah Hoffer's Perspective
The podcast concludes with a discussion of Zachariah Hoffer, AJ's former stepfather, and his perspective on the case, as expressed on his website.
Keywords
Abduction
The unlawful taking or carrying away of a person against their will, often for ransom, sexual assault, or other criminal purposes.
Circumstantial Evidence
Indirect evidence that suggests a fact but does not directly prove it. It relies on inferences and deductions to connect the evidence to the crime.
Concealment of a Dead Body
The act of hiding or disposing of a dead body to prevent its discovery or to hinder a criminal investigation.
Felony
A serious crime that carries a potential sentence of more than one year in prison. Examples include murder, rape, robbery, and drug trafficking.
GPS Tracking
A technology that uses satellites to determine the location of a device, often used for navigation, tracking vehicles, and monitoring individuals.
Heroin Overdose
A fatal or near-fatal reaction to an excessive dose of heroin, a highly addictive opioid drug. It can cause respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Jailhouse Snitch
A person incarcerated who provides information to law enforcement about a crime, often in exchange for a reduced sentence or other benefits.
Probable Cause
A reasonable belief that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place, justifying a search warrant or arrest.
Q&A
What were the circumstances surrounding AJ Hadsel's disappearance?
AJ was last seen on March 2nd, 2015, leaving her home to drop off her younger siblings at school. She was later reported missing by her family, who found a strange note and her wallet left behind.
How did the investigation initially focus on Corey French?
A friend of AJ's found a piece of her credit card and her jacket at Corey French's home, leading investigators to question him. However, he denied any involvement and was eventually released.
What evidence led to Wesley Hadsel becoming the prime suspect?
Wesley Hadsel was found to have a history of criminal activity and was actively involved in the investigation, even planting evidence to steer it towards Corey French. He was eventually arrested and charged with multiple offenses.
How did police locate AJ's body?
Police used Wesley Hadsel's GPS to track his movements on the day AJ disappeared, leading them to an abandoned house where her body was found.
What was the cause of AJ's death?
The autopsy revealed that AJ died from a heroin overdose, but the manner of death was ruled undetermined. The evidence suggests that she was likely injected with heroin by Wesley Hadsel.
What was the outcome of Wesley Hadsel's trial?
Wesley Hadsel was convicted of first-degree murder and concealing a dead body in AJ's death. He was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 15 years.
Show Notes
March, 2nd, 2015. Norfolk, Virginia. As a young girl, AJ Hadsell found herself in the rare situation where two different men vied for the opportunity to officially be considered her father. But was one of them a loving father figure as he insists to this day, or was he merely a predator who would engineer her abduction and eventually take her life – all while attempting to frame an innocent person?
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