A haunting view of a Texas highway that reflects the shadows of the recent tragic events.
Naasson Hazzard, a truck driver from Austin, received a life sentence after being convicted of kidnapping and murdering Caleigha Zangari, a veteran and victim of sex trafficking. Surveillance footage and incriminating evidence led to his conviction, highlighting the severe issue of sex trafficking in North Texas. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities of victims and the urgent need for community vigilance against such crimes.
Naasson Hazzard, a 28-year-old truck driver from Austin, Texas, was sentenced to life in federal prison on June 12, 2025, after being convicted of kidnapping resulting in death. The mandatory life sentence was handed down following a trial where Hazzard was found guilty of the murder of Caleigha Zangari, a 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran from San Diego, California, who had become a victim of sex trafficking.
Surveillance video captured Zangari entering Hazzard’s semi-truck in Northwest Dallas on August 15, 2024, at 9:27 p.m. Eight days later, her decomposed body was discovered in a wooded area off Texas Highway 11 in Pittsburg, Texas, approximately 120 miles from where she was last seen. The trial presented various pieces of evidence that indicated Hazzard had anticipated engaging in a sexual act with Zangari after picking her up. Cell phone records revealed that he drove to a nearby parking lot for about 17 minutes before heading toward Pittsburg.
During his time in Pittsburg, Hazzard sent a text to his boss claiming he would be out sick the next day, and he remained at the scene for nearly an hour. Notably, Hazzard and his wife returned to the area later and subsequently went to dinner in Tyler, Texas. In the following days, he reportedly switched cell phones, deleted Google and Life360 accounts, and used bleach to clean his truck, actions that raised suspicion among investigators.
Authorities uncovered incriminating internet search histories on Hazzard’s phone, including queries related to the potential sentences for various degrees of murder. A shattered cell phone belonging to Zangari was located along the route Hazzard took the night of her kidnapping, leading to further investigations. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents confirmed that in the days leading up to her death, Zangari had posted online sex advertisements and had multiple communications with Hazzard.
Zangari had previously served in Afghanistan and tragically fell into sex trafficking upon her return to the United States. Her family described her as a dedicated daughter, sister, and mother, who was a light in the lives of those who loved her. The case has drawn attention to the alarming prevalence of sex trafficking in North Texas, where statistics indicate that over 80,000 commercial sex advertisements are posted online in the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone.
The multi-agency effort that led to Hazzard’s conviction garnered praise from law enforcement officials. They emphasized the critical importance of protecting victims from sexual exploitation and underlined the need for increased vigilance against the dangers of sex trafficking in the community.
The tragic case of Caleigha Zangari serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist for those affected by sex trafficking and the profound consequences that such crimes can lead to. As the investigation progresses, authorities continue to seek justice for the countless victims of sexual exploitation.
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