Anjelica "AJ" Hadsell was abused, beaten, and poisoned with heroin by her stepdad. She got justice after seven years.
Dateline NBC has featured the murder story of Anjelica "AJ" Hadsell, who had disappeared on March 2, 2015, and was found dead five weeks later.
The Friday Dateline episode titled The Jacket will have Andrea Canning report on the murder case. It is set to air on NBC at 10:00 p.m. ET.
What Happened To Anjelica "AJ" Hadsell? Murder Story Explained
Anjelica "AJ" Hadsell was missing while on her spring break. She had gone to visit her parent's home in Carrollton, Norfolk.
The Norfolk Police had stated that the 18-year-old was a freshman from Longwood University. She disappeared mysteriously on March 2. 2015.
When her disappearance broke out, it was reported that she was last seen by a neighbor. She was last seen leaving the area in her mom's car.
Five weeks later, a dead body was found half-buried, which was identified to be of Hadsell. It was discovered at a site in Southampton County.
"Dateline" will feature the murder case of Norfolk 18-year-old Anjelica "AJ" Hadsell this Friday night.https://t.co/DVD5QENZRB
— WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) June 2, 2022Hadsell was partly buried in a drainage ditch and forensics revealed that she died from homicidal violence. Also, an acute heroin overdose was seen in her dead body. According to the reports, her eyes and chin were blackened and the bloodstream was three times the fatal level.
As a result of heavy damage seen in her dead body caused by insects and mites, the forensics was unable to determine whether she had been sexually abused. However, the authorities took no time to suspect her stepfather, Wesley Hadsell.
Following the seven years of investigation, it was revealed that Anjelica's stepfather was the actual murderer who had initially denied the conviction. However, a line of bruises found across Anjelica's chest and arms were consistent to prove that someone had held an arm across her. She was forced to ingest the lethal amount of heroin.
Where Are Her Mother Jennifer Wright And Biological Father Zach Now?
Hadsell's mother Jennifer Wright had testified in April 2022, that her daughter had been happy. She also described her ex-husband's behavior in the days surrounding her daughter's disappearance as erratic.
She said: “It was very odd. He was always coming and going. Just acting on edge a lot.”
According to Wright, Aj no longer got along with her ex-husband, Zach, but did not know the reason why.
When testified in the courts, Zach said he was married to Wright for seven years and was introduced to her when she was a year and a half old. He worked as a maintenance technician and drove a blue Dodge Caravan. The biological father also says he regrets not being part of Aj's life.
Is Anjelica "AJ" Hadsell Killer In Prison?
Anjelica "AJ" Hadsell's killer Wesley Hadsell was found guilty of first-degree murder and concealment of the body.
On April 4, 2022, a judge sentenced him to the maximum allowed life sentence plus fifteen years.
WATCH: The jury delivers its verdict in Wesley Hadsell's murder trial for the 2015 death of his adopted daughter, Anjelica “A.J.” Hadsell.
Wesley Hadsell was found guilty of first-degree murder and concealing a dead body.https://t.co/koIHsou8IB
— The Virginian-Pilot (@virginianpilot) February 8, 2022Also Explore: Who Is Laura Lee Day? Killer Stepmom Drowned The 6 Years Old Stepson Taylor Syring To Death
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