Naasson Hazzard, a 28-year-old truck driver from Austin, Texas, received a life sentence on Thursday for the 2024 abduction and murder of an Army veteran. The jury had found Hazzard guilty of these charges in February, which necessitate a life sentence. The conclusion of this case has led to the honoring of the victim, Caleigha Zangari, a mother and Army veteran from the San Diego area.
Nancy Larson, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, commended the relentless work of law enforcement in securing justice for Hazzard’s crimes. Larson expressed optimism that Hazzard’s life sentence would contribute to the healing process for Zangari’s family and underscored the significance of the victim’s life.
The trial revealed that on August 15, 2024, Zangari was seen entering Hazzard’s semi-truck in Dallas around 9:30 p.m. Zangari, who was believed to be a sex worker, had journeyed from California to Texas with her child earlier that month. Six days later, Zangari and her son were reported missing. Her body was found in a wooded area near Pittsburg, Texas, on August 23, 2024.
The cause of Zangari’s death was not disclosed, and her son’s location remains a mystery. The main lead for investigators came from cell phone records, which showed that Zangari had been in contact with Hazzard multiple times in the days before her disappearance.
Further examination of Hazzard’s cell phone records revealed that he had driven from Dallas to a nearby parking lot, where he remained for 17 minutes before driving over three hours to the wooded area where Zangari’s body was later discovered. Hazzard then informed his employer that he would be taking a sick day the next day.
In the days after Zangari’s disappearance, Hazzard reportedly changed cell phones, deleted his location sharing accounts, cleaned his truck with bleach, and searched the internet for information about murder sentences. His wife also seemed to have suspicions, as she was found to have searched for news in Pittsburg, Texas.
During the sentencing hearing, Zangari’s brother spoke to the court, highlighting the impact of his sister’s death on their family and urging the court to remember her as more than just a name in a case file.