Naasson Hazzard, a 28-year-old truck driver from Austin, was sentenced to life in federal prison for the kidnapping and murder of 25-year-old Army veteran Caleigha Zangari.
Hazzard’s sentencing took place on June 12, following his conviction for the heinous crime, which shocked the Dallas community and raised awareness about sex trafficking.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Nancy Larson, expressed hope that the life sentence would aid Zangari’s family in their healing process, stating, “The jury answered the call for justice by finding him guilty. Now, the life sentence he will serve reflects the value and sanctity of this victim’s life.”
The case began when Hazzard was indicted in October for “kidnapping resulting in death,” which carries a mandatory life sentence.
In January, a jury convicted him after hearing evidence that Zangari, originally from San Diego, California, was a victim of sex trafficking.
On August 15, 2024, surveillance footage captured Zangari entering Hazzard’s semi-truck in Dallas, near an area known for prostitution and trafficking along Harry Hines Blvd.
Eight days later, her decomposing body was discovered in a wooded area off Texas Highway 11 in Pittsburg, Texas, with a black plastic bag tied around her head.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Hazzard had traveled for over three hours to that remote location with Zangari.
Cell phone records indicated that he waited for nearly an hour at the site before sending a text to his boss claiming he would be out sick the following day.
Upon his return home, Hazzard and his wife went to dinner in Tyler, Texas, after stopping back at the crime scene the next day.
In a bid to evade law enforcement, Hazzard switched cell phones and deleted accounts tied to Google and Life360 that could track his location.
Investigation revealed that he had searched online for information regarding potential prison sentences for varying degrees of murder, while his wife was looking up news related to Pittsburg, Texas.
The police recovered Zangari’s cell phone, which had been shattered on the side of the road following the route Hazzard took the night of her murder.
The case was investigated by the North Texas Trafficking Task Force, which coordinated efforts among various agencies, including the FBI Dallas Field Office, the Texas Rangers, and local law enforcement in multiple Texas cities.
Dexter Henson, a spokesman for ICE Dallas, underscored the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies to achieve justice in such cases.
Travis Pickard, the special agent in charge of HSI Dallas, condemned Hazzard’s actions, calling the crime “abhorrent” and expressing hope that the verdict would provide some solace to Zangari’s grieving family.
Zangari had served in the military immediately after high school, and her funeral was held with full military honors.
Following the sentencing, Zangari’s brother spoke poignantly, stating, “Naasson didn’t just take a life. He destroyed futures. He created a ripple effect of suffering that reaches further than he could ever understand. She was a daughter. A sister. A mother. A light in the lives of everyone who knew her. Her life mattered. And her death must mean something.”
The tragic case of Caleigha Zangari raises critical awareness about sex trafficking and the vulnerability of victims, as well as the severe consequences faced by offenders like Hazzard.
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