Hania Noelia Aguilar Coverage

Prosecutors to seek death penalty against man charged in Hania Aguilar's murder

A judge ruled Thursday that Michael McLellan, the man charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Hania Aguilar last fall, could face the death penalty if found guilty.

Judge rules man could face death penalty if found guilty of Hania Aguilar's murder

A judge ruled Thursday that Michael McLellan, the man charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Hania Aguilar last fall, could face the death penalty if found guilty.

Natalie Matthews, digital journalist

Man charged with Hania Aguilar's murder indicted

Michael McLellan, the man charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Hania Aguilar last fall, was indicted last week on a charge of first-degree murder in the case.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL reporter

Fired Robeson deputy speaks out on allegation his mishandled evidence linked to Hania Aguilar murder suspect

One of the Robeson County sheriff's deputies who was forced out of his job because of the Hania Aguilar investigation confirmed to WRAL News on Wednesday that he wrote a social media post in which he denied that he knew anything about DNA linked to the teenager's alleged killer.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL reporter, and Alfred Charles, WRAL.com managing editor

Robeson deputy confirms social media post

A deputy who was let go over his handling of evidence is speaking out about the case.

Unsealed documents detail moments before, after Hania Aguilar kidnapping

More than 500 pages of documents unsealed Thursday by the Robeson County District Attorney's Office are shedding light on what happened before and after 13-year-old Hania Aguilar was kidnapped last year.

Hundreds of unsealed documents shed light on Hania Aguilar kidnapping, murder

More than 500 pages of documents unsealed Thursday by the Robeson County District Attorney's Office are shedding light on what happened before and after 13-year-old Hania Aguilar was kidnapped last year.

Janine Bowen, WRAL digital journalist

Hania Aguilar autopsy: Teen's body found in water, under plastic table

According to the autopsy report, Hania's body was found lying in a wooded area in water. The body had a "broken plastic table on top and black tire on top of table." The teen was naked when she was found. Authorities said her body had minimal evidence of trauma, but signs consistent with sexual abuse.

Natalie Matthews, WRAL digital journalist

Attorney addresses oversights at Robeson County Sheriff's Office

Attorney Christine Mumma said she has been blowing the whistle about DNA follow-ups for more than a decade.

Attorney: Deputy accused of inaction in case of suspect linked to Hania Aguilar had history of oversights

Two Robeson County deputies who were disciplined for their actions in a 2016 rape case now linked to the man charged with kidnapping and killing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar last month are no longer with the department.

Alfred Charles, WRAL.com managing editor and Candace Sweat, WRAL reporter

Robeson DA: Hania Aguilar might be alive if DNA report in 2016 case was acted on

Two Robeson County deputies have been suspended with pay over their actions in a 2016 rape case now linked to the man charged with kidnapping and killing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar last month.

Robeson deputies suspended over actions in 2016 case linked to Hania Aguilar's suspected killer

Two Robeson County deputies have been suspended with pay over their actions in a 2016 rape case now linked to the man charged with kidnapping and killing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar last month.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL reporter

Probe of missed evidence underway in death of Hania Aguilar

Robesen County authorities are looking into why evidence from 2016 was not used against a suspect who is now accused of killing Hania Aguilar.

Probe of missed evidence underway in death of Hania Aguilar

Robesen County authorities are looking into why evidence from 2016 was not used against a suspect who is now accused of killing Hania Aguilar.

Hania Aguilar

Hania Aguilar

Hania Aguilar

Hania Aguilar

Hania Aguilar murder suspect will be held in Raleigh

Michael McLellan was stoic and Hania Aguilar's mother stared him down as charges of kidnapping, murder and rape were read.

Authorities: DNA linked suspect to death of Hania Aguilar

The district attorney in Robeson County, other prosecutors and the Lumberton chief of police talked Monday about the identification and arrest of Michael McLellan in the disappearance and death of Hania Aguilar.

Authorities: DNA linked defendant to disappearance, death of Hania Aguilar

In a press conference Monday, Robeson County District Attorney Luther Johnson Britt said DNA evidence ultimately linked the man charged with murder Friday to the disappearance and death of Hania Aguilar.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL reporter

Community says final goodbye to Hania Aguilar

An arrest in the death of Hania Aguilar came just hours before family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes to the teenager.

Man charged with kidnap, rape, murder of Hania Aguilar

A 34-year-old man already in police custody was charged early Saturday with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Hania Aguilar.

Man charged with Hania Aguilar's murder on day of teen's funeral

A 34-year-old man already in police custody was charged early Saturday with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Hania Aguilar, whose abduction from her Lumberton front yard and disappearance riveted the state for three weeks until her body was found in a nearby pond.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL reporter

Hania Aguilar's father, Guatemalan resident since 2005, denied visa to attend funeral

The State Department denied a temporary visa to a Guatemalan father trying to attend the funeral Saturday for his teenage daughter, who was kidnapped outside her North Carolina home last month and was later found dead off a rural road, the man's lawyer said Thursday.

Matthew Haag, New York Times

Community helps to get Hania Aguilar's family a new home

The family of Hania Aguilar was gifted a new home Tuesday.

Petition urges visa for Hania's father to attend daughter's funeral

An online petition is urging government officials to allow the father of a slain North Carolina teenage girl to attend her funeral.