In the early morning hours of February 15, 2021, the body of 21-year-old Angel Luís Rodríguez was discovered by police in the vicinity of Farnum Drive and Orange Street, near East Rock Park in New Haven, Connecticut. What was initially considered an untimely death was soon ruled a homicide, marking the city's seventh of the year.
Angel, a lifelong resident of New Haven and a 2017 graduate of Wilbur Cross High School, was described by his family as a quiet, loving, and humble
individual. He was a devoted father to his young son, Angel Luís Rodríguez, Jr. Despite being diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a condition causing nerve damage and muscle weakness, he was remembered for his determination and entrepreneurial spirit. He had recently started working as a security guard and had aspirations of launching his own T-shirt brand.
In the days following the discovery of his body, family and friends gathered for a vigil to honor his memory, releasing balloons and lighting candles. His mother, Jannette Ayala Ruís, expressed her profound grief and her determination to seek justice for her son. The New Haven Police Department opened an investigation into his death, appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible.
Despite the ongoing investigation and the passage of time, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the murder of Angel Luís Rodríguez. The case has been highlighted in local media as one of the unsolved homicides from a year that saw a significant increase in violence in the city. The investigation into his death remains open as his family continues to await answers and justice.
