Naasson Hazzard, a 28-year-old truck driver from Austin, Texas, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday for the kidnapping and murder of an Army veteran in 2024. Hazzard was found guilty by a jury in February of the charges, which carry a mandatory life sentence. The sentencing marks the end of a case that has seen the victim, Caleigha Zangari, a San Diego-area mother and Army veteran, honored by authorities.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Nancy Larson, praised the tireless efforts of law enforcement in bringing Hazzard to justice. She expressed hope that the life sentence handed down to Hazzard would aid in the healing process for Zangari’s family, emphasizing the importance of the victim’s life.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that on August 15, 2024, Zangari was seen entering Hazzard’s semi-truck in Dallas around 9:30 p.m. Zangari, believed to be a sex worker, had traveled from California to Texas with her child earlier that month. Six days later, Zangari and her son were reported missing, and her body was discovered in a wooded area near Pittsburg, Texas, on August 23, 2024.
The cause of Zangari’s death was not disclosed, and the whereabouts of her son remain unknown. Investigators’ primary lead came from cell phone records, which revealed that Zangari had been in contact with Hazzard multiple times in the days leading up to her disappearance.
Further investigation into Hazzard’s cell phone records showed that he had traveled from Dallas to a nearby parking lot, where he stayed for 17 minutes before driving over three hours to the wooded area where Zangari’s body was later found. Hazzard then texted his employer that he would be taking a sick day the following day.
In the days following Zangari’s disappearance, Hazzard reportedly switched cell phones, deleted his location sharing accounts, cleaned his truck with bleach, and searched online for information about murder sentences. His wife also appeared to have suspicions, as she was found to have searched for news in Pittsburg, Texas.
During the sentencing hearing, Zangari’s brother addressed the court, emphasizing 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.