Pentagon Underreports Domestic Abuse Homicides Among Military Personnel

The U.S. military's official records significantly understate the number of domestic abuse-related homicides involving service members, according to a new investigation by The Intercept. The report reveals that the Pentagon missed nearly half of such cases from fiscal years 2019 to 2024, raising serious concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the Department of Defense's (DoD) reporting mechanisms.

The case of Angelina Resendiz, a 21-year-old sailor stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, highlights the inadequacies in the military’s response to domestic abuse. On the night she went missing, Resendiz called a friend from Jermiah Copeland's barracks room, expressing her need to leave after an evening of drinking and kissing. When her friend arrived 15 minutes later, neither Resendiz nor Copeland was found, leading to a week-long search by friends and family. Esmerelda Castle, Resendiz’s mother, described the Navy’s response as inadequate and misleading during this critical period.

The Intercept's investigation uncovered that while the Pentagon reported 41 domestic abuse-related homicides committed by service members over six years, there were actually at least 73 potential cases involving 79 victims—almost all of them women. This discrepancy suggests a systemic failure in accurately documenting such incidents within the military hierarchy.

To compile their findings, The Intercept utilized various sources including news articles, obituaries, court records, and memorials. They also obtained data through Freedom of Information Act requests on Army noncombat fatalities to ensure comprehensive coverage. Each case was meticulously verified against Pentagon records to identify gaps in reporting.

A killing qualified for the dataset if it occurred between fiscal years 2019 and 2024; involved a military member at the time of the crime; and included a homicide where the victim had dated or was romantically involved with the perpetrator. This definition also encompassed cases involving foreign citizens dating American troops stationed abroad.

The underreporting issue is particularly troubling given that intimate partner violence has been defined by the DoD to include former spouses, individuals sharing a child in common, and current or former intimate partners who share a domicile, expanded in fiscal year 2022 to cover those in dating relationships. This broader definition should have led to more accurate reporting but clearly did not.

The findings underscore the need for improved protocols and stricter enforcement within the military regarding domestic abuse cases. With reports due in November for fiscal year 2025, when Resendiz was murdered, there is an urgent call for reform to ensure that such tragic incidents are accurately recorded and addressed by military authorities.

Critics argue that the underreporting not only fails victims but also undermines public trust in the military’s commitment to addressing domestic violence. As the issue continues to gain attention, calls for independent oversight and enhanced transparency measures are likely to grow louder.