Angelica Nicole Santiago, an 18-year-old woman from Harker Heights, Texas, tragically died on July 10, 2016. Initially, it was believed that she had committed suicide, but further investigation revealed that she had been shot by her boyfriend, Matthew Stoddard. Santiago was found in their apartment on Hopi Trail, with two gunshot wounds to the head.
The investigation by the Bell County District Attorney's Office found probable cause that Stoddard was responsible for her death.
Matthew Stoddard, who was 23 years old at the time, turned himself into the police in March 2017 and was charged with the murder of Angelica Santiago. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The case was handled by Bell County Assistant District Attorney Shelly Strimple, who stated that Stoddard was on his way to prison where he belonged. Santiago's family, including her mother Carmen Santiago, expressed relief at the sentencing, as it provided some closure and allowed them to focus on raising Santiago's young son.
In addition to the murder charges, Stoddard was also arrested in January 2018 for sexual assault of a child, further complicating his legal troubles. Despite the tragic circumstances, Santiago's family has chosen to keep her memory alive for her son, ensuring that he knows who his mother was.
The case of Angelica Santiago highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the pursuit of justice, even when initial assumptions may point in a different direction. Her family continues to mourn her loss but finds solace in the fact that her killer has been held accountable for his actions.
