A man has been sentenced to life in prison after admitting to the murder of a 13-year-old girl in Lumberton, North Carolina. Michael McLellan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder charges related to the death of Hania Aguilar, who was taken from her driveway in November 2018.
In addition to the murder charge, McLellan also accepted responsibility for two separate attacks on other individuals in 2016 and 2018. After his guilty plea, he received a sentence of life imprisonment without the chance of parole.
Lumberton police reported that McLellan confessed to kidnapping Aguilar and later disposing of her body. Her remains were discovered weeks after she went missing, and an autopsy revealed she died from “homicidal violence of undetermined means.” The case drew significant national attention and impacted not only Aguilar’s family but also the broader community.
Many friends and family members attended the court hearing on Friday, expressing a range of emotions as they faced the man responsible for Aguilar’s death. Emy Moscoso, a friend of Aguilar, shared her feelings about seeing McLellan in court. She felt anger and confusion over how someone could harm an innocent child, referring to him as a “monster.”
Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeill emphasized the department’s dedication to achieving justice for Hania and her family, expressing hopes for healing within the community. Robert W. DeWitt, an FBI Special Agent, also acknowledged the efforts to ensure justice was served for Hania and other victims of McLellan’s crimes.
The case has left a lasting impact on both the local community and those who followed the tragic story.
