A Person Close to Her Did the Unthinkable… the Tragic Case of AJ Hadsell
Feb 20, 2025
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Discover the tragic case of AJ Hadsell, a vibrant 18-year-old whose disappearance during spring break turned into a haunting mystery. Explore the complexities of her familial relationships and the shocking realization of betrayal. As the investigation unfolds, deep suspicions arise surrounding AJ's stepfather, Wesley. The unsettling evidence and tense interrogations play a crucial role in the case, culminating in a bittersweet pursuit of justice that impacts everyone involved.
AJ Hadsell, an 18-year-old college freshman, went missing under suspicious circumstances, ultimately leading to her tragic murder by her stepfather.
The investigation highlighted red flags surrounding Wesley Hadsell's behavior, including contradictory statements and suspicious actions during the search for AJ.
Evidence such as GPS tracking and autopsy results pointed to Wesley's guilt, resulting in a conviction for first-degree murder and concealment of a body.
Deep dives
The Disappearance of AJ Hadsell
Angelica Marie Hadsell, known as AJ, went missing on March 2, 2015, during her freshman year at Longwood University. On that day, her last confirmed sighting was at home when her mother dropped her off earlier in the morning, and her whereabouts became a matter of concern when her mother received cryptic text messages from her. AJ's family found a concerning note in her handwriting, which suggested she was feeling overwhelmed by recent family turmoil, complicating the search efforts. Despite the family's immediate actions to locate her, including involving the police, a formal missing person report was filed after AJ's unusual messages stopped, leading to a deeply troubling investigation.
Search for Clues and Emerging Suspects
The initial investigation into AJ's disappearance led authorities to interview her family and friends, revealing a troubling landscape of potential suspects. One of the first was her ex-boyfriend, Josh, whose alibi was deemed solid, but as the investigation unfolded, attention shifted to Corey French, a close friend of AJ's who found a piece of her credit card. Additionally, AJ's stepfather, Wesley Hadsell, became increasingly involved in search efforts, actively engaging with the media and raising reward money for information. As the investigation progressed, investigators began to suspect that Wesley had ulterior motives, especially considering his conflicting accounts regarding his last interactions with AJ.
Wesley's Complicated Role
Wesley Hadsell, despite appearing as a grieving stepfather, raised suspicion with his unusual behavior and contradictory statements regarding AJ’s last known whereabouts. He insisted that he was trying to find AJ but his direct involvement in gathering evidence against a suspected friend of hers, Corey, suggested otherwise. Reports indicated that he exhibited controlling behavior and made alarming threats regarding Corey, which raised more red flags for investigators. Surveillance footage eventually proved Wesley lied about his whereabouts on the day AJ went missing, igniting further investigation into his potential involvement.
The Discovery of AJ's Remains
AJ’s remains were found on April 9, 2015, in a remote area over 45 miles from her home, uncovering the tragic culmination of a harrowing search. Investigators connected Wesley to the location through GPS data from his work van, which detailed a suspicious drive following AJ's disappearance. An autopsy revealed that AJ died from acute heroin poisoning, a clear indication that her death was not self-inflicted, especially given her history as a well-behaved and drug-free individual. The nature of her death and the condition of her body heightened suspicions of Wesley's involvement, especially since he had access to her phone and was acting very strangely throughout the investigation.
Justice Served for AJ Hadsell
Wesley Hadsell was ultimately indicted on charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a body, following a lengthy trial process that included significant circumstantial evidence against him. The jury quickly found him guilty after deliberation, leading to a life sentence plus additional years for his crimes against AJ. Despite attempts to maintain his innocence, Wesley's earlier threats and erratic behavior throughout the investigation, combined with damning evidence such as the GPS tracking and his own confessions, sealed his fate. The case stood as a heartbreaking reminder of the failures in safeguarding victims, as AJ's life was cut short due to the actions of someone whom she should have trusted.
In 2015, 18-year-old AJ Hadsell was on Spring break during her freshman year at college when she went missing from her family home. Her body was found weeks later in a ditch; she had been poisoned with heroin. But it wasn’t until years later that there was a conviction in the case: AJ’s stepfather, Wesley.
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