Hidden True Crime - She Wanted Out. Investigators Say He Wouldn’t Let Her Leave | Angela Whitaker FULL STORY

Episode Date: June 13, 2026

A missing mother sends one final message: "If I don't get away from here, I know it will be bad."* Days later, she's gone. Investigators say Angela Whitaker moved hundreds of miles for a job opportunity and a fresh start. Instead, they allege she became trapped in a nightmare that ended on a remote mountainside. An ex-fiancée comes forward with explosive claims. A secret trip into the woods. Concrete, rope, surveillance footage, location data, and a body discovered where investigators were told to look. But even after an arrest, major questions remain. This is the disturbing case of Angela Whitaker and the evidence investigators say led them to her alleged killer. Sponsors: Jones Road Beauty- Use code HIDDEN at https://jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Gift with your first purchase! #JonesRoadBeauty #ad Rula- Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/hidden #rulapod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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she told multiple people she was scared and didn't know what to do. In fact, Angela Whitaker spent the final weeks of her life telling people she wanted out. She told friends she felt trapped. She checked into a hotel to get away for days. She talked about leaving, and then she vanished. On May 4th, 26, police were notified and a missing person's case was opened. Days later, investigators would receive a stunning tip. A woman claimed that Angela's boyfriend had confessed to murder.

But here's the problem. A confession alone doesn't prove anything, especially if it's a confession where this person told this person who's now telling police, right? Because now we're playing a high-stakes game of telephone. And solid evidence, solid evidence, has never been, he said, she said. So investigators, they begin following the trail. It led to surveillance footage, bags of concrete, cell phone tracking data, a remote mountain road, and eventually a body.

It's a trail of evidence that prosecutors say points to murder. And we'll get into all of that evidence, breaking it all down to try to unfold this case. But a major question. question that has stayed with me. And the reason I want to go through everything with you in this episode is this. How many warning signs were there before Angela disappeared? What did her weeks look like leading up to her sudden disappearance? Could this have been prevented? And how did she even find herself in this position that she needed to get out of? Because according to the evidence and court docs that we have been pouring over, just a couple of months before her death,

attempts to escape. Angela Whitaker at first seemed to sincerely think she was actually just getting a second chance. This was just months before these text messages. She wanted to take this chance for herself, for her kids, for her future. Because after years of personal struggles, there was this man that she had once just briefly knew, who came back into her life and offered Angela something that she was desperately needing. This man offered her a promising job. and a place to live. And within months, she would be dead. So I also want to know, was this intentional? But she lured into isolation, into dependency, and into a place that she could not escape. The questions that I have aren't just what happened to Angela, although I know that's a question

we have. We all have that. And we're not going to just gloss over trying to understand what happened. We'll go over that evidence and try to comprehend what investigators believe happened. But my personal questions are also, what could have helped Angela? Could something have been done? And when did this alleged fresh start, the second chance, become something far more dangerous? Was it a plan from the very beginning to lure a vulnerable young mother into isolation? Because at some point in life, let's be honest, most of us do find ourselves having unexpected setbacks in life. I mean, I certainly have. I'll forever think the friends who let me crash in their guest rooms or the Costco employees who gave me extra free samples for lunch while I work to pull myself up and out.

And sometimes all it takes is one opportunity or one caring person to help some person, one of us, any of us, to get back on our feet and start over. That's real. That's something that can change everything for someone who is trying to make their life better. And for 36-year-old Angela Whitaker, that opportunity seemed to come in the form of this job offer and a place to stay, just what she needed. Because after facing a series of personal struggles, Angela was offered again. A new beginning, steady employment, a roof over her head, running water, something that she didn't even have at the time. This was a chance to rebuild her life.

But remember, in the days just before she disappeared, Angela again confided to friends and family. She felt trapped. She wanted to leave, wanted to get away, wanted to get out of this situation, but she clearly didn't know how to leave. And then it was April 26 when she suddenly vanished. And what began as a missing person's case ultimately led investigators to that remote mountainside where they say evidence points to a horrifying ordeal. So before we get into that mountainside investigation, let's go back.

Let's try to understand who Angela was to the people who loved her. And many of those who knew and loved Angela Whitaker knew her by her endearing nickname Angel. Angela or Angel, a five foot, two inch, 100 pound red-haired angel on earth. And Angela or Angel, she was born on May 2nd, 1989. She was known for that fiery red hair, her infectious laugh, a very generous heart. Friends and family describe her as someone who found joy in life's simple moments, loved deeply, loved being a mother, gardening, reading, drawing long walks, going on late night drives. And she had several jobs throughout her life, but one of her favorites, which I find very telling about who she is.

She worked on this local alpaca farm where she loved helping care for the animals. She assisted with the birth of newborn alpacas. Fascinating. She was a caretaker at heart. And so she helped these animals in their most dependent moments, the birth for the mothers and the babies, and then protecting those young alpacas. But more than anything, Angela loved her three children, her children running Braden, Daisy, and CJ. And that's why when her family suddenly stopped hearing from her, alarm bells immediately went off.

she would not stop communicating with and being there for her children. So again, the timeline. This case first came to law enforcement's attention May 4th, 26, two days after what should have been Angela's 37th birthday. But again, no one had heard from Angela on her birthday. So two days later, that is when Angela's sister, Amanda Thayer, Amanda Thayer, she calls to report her sister missing. So Amanda, Angela's sister, she lives in this tight-knit border city of Bristol, Virginia.

and she told officers something that immediately raised red flags. Amanda said that she usually talked with her sister, Angela, almost every day. They were very close. And Angela was also always in contact with her children as well. Sometimes it was a phone call, sometimes a message, but hearing from Angela regularly was normal. Not hearing from Angela for weeks was not normal. And no one at this point had heard from her on her birthday two days earlier.

and according to Amanda, the last time anyone in the family had even heard from Angela was around April 14th, 2026. So it had now been over two and a half weeks. So as investigators begin digging into Angela's life, they learned that she had recently made a major change. It was late January, 26, just a few months earlier, when Angela had moved from Bristol, Virginia, Bristol, Virginia, where she was close to her sister Amanda and moved from there to Bluefield, West Virginia, nearly two hours away to live with her boyfriend. Yeah, and I air quote around boyfriend because I'll let you decide what he ultimately was to her. But that boyfriend was who convinced Angela to leave her familiar town of Bristol, a familiar town

that was filled with familiar people who love and cared for Angela. And the man who got Angela to suddenly move to a new city and state was 59-year-old Don Pennington. Amanda explained that her sister Angela had actually known Don for years. She's telling this to police. Look, this is what I can tell you. The two first met back in 2018 when Angela was still in her 20s, a young mom, while the much older Don was in his 50s and working at an O'Reilly Auto Parts store in Bristol, Virginia. So back then in 2018, they dated for about nine months.

They eventually go their separate ways. Didn't work out in early 2019. But somehow, years later, they reconnect. Amanda tells us, please, she's not exactly sure how that happened, right? But she said that Angela called her, it was January, and explained that Don, who was now a store manager at an O'Reilly location in Bluefield, West Virginia, had essentially offered Angela a very promising job. as the assistant manager of the store. Great opportunity. I mean, one thing about that did never really fully make sense to Amanda because she knew her sister Angela had never worked as a manager before

in any job. But still, that's also why this assistant manager position was such a major opportunity for Angela, such a career move, and also really represented, again, this fresh, hopeful start that she needed. Because as Amanda told police, she also believed there was probably another reason that the move happened so quickly for her sister. Because at the time, Angela truly had been struggling. She was living in a camper without running water and without electricity. And she didn't have a job, let alone a manager position. Moving to Bluefield, West Virginia, gave her sister both a place to live, a job and some stability and fast. So why would Angela even wait when waiting meant continuing to live in a camper with zero water? So Amanda also shared some other very important background about her sister to police.

She did say that Angela had struggled with drug and alcohol addiction throughout much of her life. She had also been diagnosed with PTSD as well as a personality disorder. And on top of all of that, Angela had then suffered a brain injury in a 2016 car accident that had affected her cognitive functioning, heartbreaking. So many struggles and trials in her life. So as investigators then worked to find Angela. They created a timeline of her last known communications and activities. And on April 14th, Angela had a Facebook messenger audio call with her sister and her two children. So that same day, she sent a message to one of her sons that would later stand out to investigators. It stands out to me.

This is what she says. She said, quote, I think I'm done with this fucking bullshit at work and dawn too, end quote. Also on April 14th, after that message, Angela traveled to Lebanon, Virginia, where she met with an ex-boyfriend. This ex-boyfriend was also the father to one of her children. They were co-parents. Angela had good co-parenting and even friendships with both of her exes. And this meeting reportedly lasted about two hours before she then returned to Bluefield, West Virginia. According to investigators, she arrived in Don Pennington's white, Acura, sedan. And then the following day, April 15th,

there was still activity on Angela's Facebook account, a birthday message posted for one of her friends. And then on April 16th, there was even more activity. Three separate posts appeared on her Facebook page and she was tagged in another post by a man named Philip Cyrus. Philip Cyrus, remember that. And then came April 17th. According to investigators, the Facebook message was sent from Angela's account to Philip Cyrus around 10 a.m. that morning. That message, again, would become one of the last known communications linked to Angela. Donald Pennington, Don Pendleton, later told investigators that Angela showed up to work intoxicated that day. Don claimed that he drove Angela home to the residence.

They shared at 149 Thorn Street in Bluefield. And if his account is accurate, that was the last confirmed sighting of Angela Whitaker. I have spent a lot of years on camera between local news, interviews, documentaries, and now hidden true crime that I have truly tried just about every makeup approach out there. And honestly, one thing that I got tired of was feeling like I was putting on so many layers to look just awake and presentable. And that is why I have become such a fan of Jones Road Beauty. The product that I keep reaching for is Miracle Bomb. It gives my skin that healthy natural glow and it does not look like I am wearing a ton of makeup because I'm not. I love

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trying to understand what happened to Angela. Amanda notices Angela and Philip, they've been interacting on Facebook. So she wonders if he might know. where her sister is. So according to Amanda, Philip tells Amanda that he has not heard from Angela in weeks. Then a few days later, on May 8th, investigators interviewed Philip at his home. So Philip explained that he had only known Angela for a short period of time. He was not a longtime friend or former boyfriend even. In fact, their relationship started pretty casually. He frequently visited the O'Reilly store where Angela worked because he bought parts for vehicles that he he was working on. So the two would chat when he came into the O'Reilly store. And that was the extent

of their relationship at first. That changed on April 14th. So at 156th that afternoon, that is when Angela sent Philip a Facebook message. She wrote, quote, I hate to bother you for real, and I'm not trying to cause you any bullshit or anything. But will you hit me up, please? End quote. So according to Philip, that was the very first time Angela had contacted him outside of their brief conversations at work. And from that point forward, the two stayed in regular contact through messenger over the next several days. And as investigators would soon learn, those conversations painted a troubling picture of what was going on in Angela's life during the days before she vanished. So as Philip continues talking with investigators, a much clear picture of Angela's state of mind

begins to emerge. According to Philip, many of Angela's messages centered around her relationship with Don, with Don Pennington, and her desperate desire to get away from him. At one point, she messaged him something very chilling, something I mentioned at the beginning of this episode. Angela messaged, quote, I got to get the fuck away from here for real. And then in another, message she followed up with quote if i don't get the fuck away from here i know it will be bad end quote i can't get over that word i know i know it will be bad she says it's such an ominous warning i know philip said that these were not random comments angelo was specifically talking about what was happening at home with Don. She told Philip about a recent incident at O'Reilly's, where the two had gone into an intense

argument in front of other employees. According to Philip, Angela described feeling trapped. She allegedly told him that Don was extremely jealous, extremely controlling. So the more investigators learned, the more it sounded like Angela was actively looking for a way out of her situation with Don. Philip said that during one of their final conversations, Angela even asked if she could move in with Philip. But according to Philip, that was not an option because his mother would not allow it. He also told investigators that Angela would frequently call him crying while talking about her problems with Dawn.

In the days before she disappeared, the two met in person twice. The second meeting would turn out to be the last time that Philip ever saw Angela. According to Philip's account, Angela arrived at his house around 4 p.m. on April 16th after walking there. She stayed for several hours remaining at the home, Phillips' home, until roughly 10 p.m. that night. And throughout the evening, Philip said that Don was repeatedly texting Angela, demanding that she come home. One message, according to Philip, told her to, quote, bring her ass home. Eventually, around 10 p.m., Philip noticed a white, accurate sedan, that would be Don's car pull up just down the street from his house, and he recognized it as Don Pennington's

vehicle. So before Angela left, Philip handed her a large black umbrella, and then he watched her walk away toward that waiting car, Don Pennington's car. And that was the last time he would ever see her. The following morning, April 17th, Philip and Angela allegedly exchanged messages one final time through Facebook Messenger. The last message that he received from her is heartbreaking and shows her state of mind. She wrote, quote, I wish I could just suck it up and ignore everything that bothers me, but I am tired of pretending life is so positive when I am not all okay with anything right now, end quote. So that's what she wrote the next morning.

So reading those words now, knowing what happened next, it is hard. not to hear the exhaustion behind the words. During this time, Angela's family was starting to panic. On May 10th, her daughter, Daisy, posted on Facebook. Today is Mother's Day, and my mom, Angel Whitaker, is still missing. We are almost at a month since any of us have heard from her. We are very concerned for her and her well-being. She was last seen in the Bluefield area.

She's around 5'2, about 100 pounds. She is 37 years old with red hair and brown eyes. She is originally from Bristol, Virginia, but moved to Bluefield, West Virginia at the beginning of this year where she was working at O'Reilly Auto Parts up until about three weeks ago. Please, if anyone has seen her or has any information that you think may help us contact her, please contact the police in Bluefield. Happy Mother's Day Mama. I love you.

End quote. So as investigators dug deeper, they discovered, that concerns about Angela's living situation were not limited to just Philip. Amanda Thayer, again, her sister later contacted investigators again and shared new information. She had recently learned. And according to Amanda, two police, Angela, had actually left Don's residence for several days, shortly before her disappearance. She had checked herself into a hotel.

That's how desperate she was. She did not have a lot of money. but she checked herself into a hotel for several days. Investigators were able to verify that stay. Records show that Angela checked into the Quality Inn in Princeton, West Virginia, on April 9th and then remained there until April 13th. Family members believe she went there to get away from whatever was happening at the house, Donald's house.

Amanda said that Angela was unhappy and fearful. One issue, according to family members, was that Don's four. former partner, she was reportedly back in the picture and spending time around the house. It's not clear which ex-partner this was, but because from my research, he had several ex-partners, make sense. But investigators also spoke with one of Angela's sons, who had one of the last lengthy conversations with Angela. And he said that he spoke with his mom on April 14th for nearly two hours. And during that conversation, Angela reportedly complained about Don's continued relationship with his ex-wife and claimed that the ex-wife had actually been staying at the home,

so not just around the home, but living there. According to Angela's own son, Angela felt that she was being mentally abused by both of them, by both Don and his ex-wife, who were staying at the house. So records show that Angela paid for the hotel stay herself, using two visa cards issued in her name. Investigators then contacted Angela's other son. And according to him, the last time he spoke with his mother was around April 16th. He said that Angela told him she was afraid to stay in the house with Don and was actively trying to return to Bristol to get away from both him, Don, and the situation that she was living in. So taken together the accounts from Philip now, from Angela's family members, from her own.

sons, all of this seems to point in the same direction. Multiple people describe Angela as unhappy, fearful, emotionally overwhelmed. Angela claimed she's being abused mentally by not just Don now, but Don and his ex-wife, looking for a way out in any way possible, so much so that she goes and checks herself into a hotel, that she's asking Philip a customer at O'Reilly Auto parts, that she can stay there. Meanwhile, investigators, We're also hearing a very different version of events from Don Pennington himself. Because according to one officer's report, Don said the last time he saw or spoke with Angela was on April 17th, and he claimed that Angela arrived at work at O'Reilly's intoxicated that day.

According to Don, she clocked out at approximately 2.02 p.m. And then he drove her back to the home that they shared on Thorn Street and Bluefield. Don told investigators that when he returned home from work later that evening, Angela was just simply gone. He said that he had not seen her since. That's it. And then on May 12th, investigators received a visit from someone who knew Don very, very well. His ex-fiancee, Tabitha Phillips, shows up at the police station.

And it appears that they were engaged in 2020, the pandemic year, Don and Tabitha. But despite no longer being together, Tabitha said that she and Don, they remained friends. That seems to also be another pattern of Don staying in contact with his exes. So what Tabitha tells investigators immediately gets their attention. According to the report, the very first thing Tabitha said was, quote, you're not going to find her. He murdered her. You're not going to find her. He murdered her.

That's a quote. And that's obviously an explosive accusation. And at that point, it was only Tabitha's opinion, right? But investigators, they documented the statement, of course, and then they continued listening to what Tabitha had to say. And this is what she had to say. Tabitha said that on April 17th, Dawn had called her several times throughout the day. And according to her, there had been a heated argument at the house between Angela and

Don's daughter, Katie. So Don's daughter, Katie, and Angela had this argument, according to Tabitha. And the dispute allegedly started over a dog that had gone to the bathroom inside the home. Katie and Angela reportedly began arguing, and Katie eventually called her father at work. So Tabitha said that Don left work to intervene and break up the argument at his house between his daughter and his girlfriend. And according to Tabitha, Don continued calling Tabitha throughout the day, sort of updating her about the ongoing conflict.

Like, this is what's going on. This is what I'm doing. Later that evening, Tabitha said he called again and claimed that Angel was tripping out. Angel was tripping out again. Tabitha told investigators that Don described Angela as making a series of threats. So according to Don's account to Tabitha, Angela threatened to kill her son, have Tabitha kidnapped and murdered, set his house on fire, and even threatened to have her son make a claim that Don had touched him so he would be labeled a pedophile and get him fired from his job. A lot of threats. Well, at that point, investigators were left with two dramatically

different pictures of Angela's final days before her disappearance, right? On one hand, family members and friends are describing a woman who felt trapped, frightened, emotionally exhausted, desperate to leave. On the other hand, Don's version of events portrayed Angela as unstable, intoxicated, and making increasingly extreme wild threats in the hours before she disappeared. So what Tabitha told investigators next would become one of the most disturbing parts of this entire case so far. According to her, later in the evening on April 17th, Don called Tabitha again and asked if she knew where he could get some fentanyl. She said that she told him that she didn't have that and the conversation ended. She didn't have it. She didn't

know. Combo ended. But that wasn't the end of their contact because Tabitha told investigators that she later met Don in person at Mercer Mall. He arrived again in his white, accurate sedan, and what she claims happened during that meeting is very difficult to hear. Because according to Tabitha, Don appeared emotional and began talking about what had happened between him and Angela. She said that he told that Angela had threatened to kill him and that that's when he snapped. That's when he snapped, according to Tabitha. Tabith claimed that Don then described grabbing Angela by the throat and lifting her until she stopped breathing. She said that Don was crying. during this conversation with Tabitha telling her this.

She also said that he repeatedly told her, you're safe, don't worry. Then came an even more shocking allegation. Tabitha claimed that while they were sitting in the vehicle, Don showed her a photograph on a cell phone. Tabitha says the image appeared to show Angela lying on her side and that she looked deceased. Tabith tells investigators that Don said, I killed her, here's proof. She claims the photograph had been displayed from Angela's own cell phone.

So if that's true, this would have been a direct confession. But at this stage of the investigation, these are still allegations being reported by Tabitha and would need to be obviously corroborated by evidence. So Tabitha then says that Don later told her that he had destroyed both of Angela's cell phones. Tabith claimed that Don said that one of the phones had been submerged in bleach for more than 20 hours and that he had removed the SIM cards from both devices. What else does Tabith say? Tabitha has a lot to say. Tabitha then says that after leaving Mercer Mall, she made it clear to Don that she didn't want to know anything else about what had happened. But according to Tabith, Don still kept talking to her. She told investigators that Don allegedly admitted that he had intentionally left some of Angela's clothing, belongings at the house to create the impression that she might return. He also allegedly told her

that he scattered some of Angela's personal items in other locations to mislead investigators about where she had gone. Tabitha couldn't identify the exact locations, but she recalled Don mentioning McDowell County. And then the allegations became even more detailed. So Tabith says that on April 18th, Don tells her that Angela's body was wrapped in a rug and hidden inside a bedroom closet at his house on Thorn Street. She further claimed that Don told her that he and another unidentified man eventually moved Angela's body from the house. In Tabith's account, the body was placed inside Don's white Accura and then transported across state lines into Virginia near Bastion. And then, so investigators, they're documenting all of these

claims and continuing to follow up on all the information that Tabitha's providing. So then Tabitha goes on to explain an event that she said occurred roughly a week later. Because, yeah, if that's not all, Tabitha has more. Surprise, an event a week later. Tabitha explains that on or around April 24th, Don asks her to accompany him to the location where he had allegedly disposed of Angela's body. Yeah. Tabitha said they met at Lowe's in Bluefield at around 5.30 p.m. And this time she said Don was driving in O'Reilly Company vehicle, a white Chevy Colorado.

And one detail that stood out to her was that Don had allegedly covered the identifying tracking numbers on the vehicle with black tape. That's not suspicious. And Tabitha then recalls that when he later removed the tape, part of the numbering came off with it. So Tabitha explains that Don said that he needed to purchase supplies before going to the location. She watched as he bought three bags of concrete and loaded them into the bed of the truck. From there, the two reportedly drove toward Bastion, Virginia, traveling along Scenic Drive. Before reaching their destination, Tabitha said they stopped at a Circle K gas station where they bought drinks and a candy bar. Eventually, she said they arrived at a remote gravel road leading into a heavily wooded area,

later identified as Round Mountain Road. Continues with her story. Don gets out of the truck wearing a black Puma t-shirt, light-colored jeans. She said he disappears into the woods empty-handed. And you can't really tell from the Google Earth photo, but Round Mountain Road actually goes very deep into that forested area and kind of loops around and meets a trailhead called South Fork Trailhead. So even though there are homes along that road, it goes further into the woods than that. And it would probably be relatively easy to remain concealed, especially at night. So a few minutes later, he returns, grabs one of the bags of concrete,

and then heads back into the trees. Yeah, nothing to see here. Roughly 10 minutes later, Tabitha said Don returns again and retrieves the remaining two bags of concrete. So while he's gone, Tabitha notices another vehicle passed by the area. When she informed Don, she said he immediately becomes worried, decides to leave. Then Tabitha explained that once he gets back into the truck, he's crying. She said that he told her he missed Angela and that he wished things hadn't turned out the way they did. And during the drive back, Tabitha claimed that Dawn was frustrated that he wasn't able to finish what he had intended to do at the site. Because Tabitha explains it, he said he hoped it would rain because it would help settle the concrete. He tells Tabitha that he would need to return to the location

another time. And Tabitha says that she then refused to go back with him. Oh, on the drive home, they reportedly stopped at a BP gas station in Bastion to purchase gas. They used cash before eventually returning to the Circle case shortly before dark. So Tabitha gave investigators a lot to say the least. And if Tabitha's account is true, investigators now do have a potential confession, a possible disposal site, and a detailed timeline of events that they could attempt to verify

through surveillance footage, phone records, vehicle tracking data, right, receipts, physical evidence. The question was whether the evidence would support Tabitha's story. So, of course, investigators have a lot ahead of them. And naturally, they have a lot of questions about what Tabith is saying. One of the biggest was simple, why would Don supposedly tell Tabitha all of this, of all people? When asked directly, Tabitha answered, because he trusts me. At that point, investigators have been given a very specific location where Anne,

Angela's body was allegedly hidden. So they, of course, that was the first thing to do, follow up on that immediately. So Tabitha personally takes investigators with her to the area that Don had supposedly shown her. Working alongside the Blan County Sheriff's Office, authorities searched the location. Despite those efforts, they were unable to locate Angela. The search, though, was not over. Virginia State Police planned to deploy cadaver dogs to continue searching the area. And meanwhile, Tabitha voluntarily handed over her cell phone.

She told investigators that there had once been messages from Don discussing Angela's death, but she had deleted them. Tabitha explains, Don had instructed her to get rid of all of the messages. So as investigators worked to verify her claims, another significant development came up. One thing that I have learned from covering difficult stories for years is that mental health affects every part of our lives, relationships, parenting, stress, grief, trauma. it is all connected. And yet so many people who want therapy run into the same problem, finding a therapist who actually accepts their insurance. We wouldn't think twice about using our

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on a wait list. With Rula appointments can be available as soon as tomorrow. Mental health care should be accessible. It should be affordable and personalized. So head to Rula.com slash hidden. That's Rula.U-L-A dot com slash hidden to get started. That's Rula, R-U-L-A dot com slash hidden. Again, Rula.com slash hidden for quality therapy that is covered by insurance. Don Pennington and had been scheduled to appear at the Bluefield Police Department on May 12th for an interview regarding Angela's disappearance. When he arrived, officers advised him of his Miranda rights. But according to the affidavit, Don immediately requested an attorney before they could even ask one question. The interview ended, and he was placed into custody. Later that same day, investigators received

another call from Tabitha. And this time, Tabitha said she had something that could potentially verify parts of her story. So using location data collected through the Life 360 app, Tabitha provided investigators with specific dates, specific times, and locations tied to the trip that she claimed that she took with Dawn. So the app uses a tracking feature that records location data and movement history. So when investigators reviewed the information, they found that it appeared to match Tabitha's account remarkably close. The records showed Tabitha at Lowe's in Bluefield on April 24th between around 5.52 p.m. and 5.57 p.m. That same data later showed her returning to lows at around 7.45 p.m. The records also showed a stop at a circle

okay convenience store at approximately 6.23 p.m. Another stop was recorded at a BP gas station at 7.07 p.m. Most importantly, the data showed a stop on Round Mountain Road. The app indicated that at around 6.32 p.m. Tabith's phone remained stationary at that location for about 15 minutes. According to her, this was the exact spot where Don parked the truck and disappeared into the woods carrying the bags of concrete. Investigators forwarded the location data to deputies who were actively searching the area. And then another piece of evidence surfaced. Sergeant Ross traveled two lows and obtained surveillance footage from the date in question. And that footage appeared to support several details of Tabitha's story. Investigators say that the video showed Don and Tabitha standing in the

checkout line purchasing bags of Quick Creek concrete at around the same time reflected in the Life 360 data. The bags matched her description. The surveillance footage also showed Don wearing a black Puma t-shirt and a large red Puma logo on the front, along with blue jeans. The same outfit Tabitha had described him wearing when he allegedly entered the woods. So investigators later recovered that shirt and looking at this affidavit, Tabitha and her friend turned it over to police and explained that the shirt actually belonged to Tabitha. They said that Don returned it to them a few days after he was seen wearing it. The surveillance footage also reportedly showed Don loading the concrete into a white O'Reilly company truck parked outside. And then

that same evening, investigators executed a search warrant at Don's house on Thorne Street. And while that search was underway, another call came in from the team searching Round Mountain Road. A deputy reported finding something unusual near the location identified through the Life 360 data. What they found was an unopened gallon of parents' choice distilled water that had been found in the woods. That might not sound significant on its own. But do you remember, according to Tabitha, Don had allegedly planned to use distilled water to help harden the concrete he was carrying into the woods. She even told investigators that Don had previously given her two gallons of the exact same brand of water.

Remember when Don said to her, I wish it would rain. I hope it will rain because he was disappointed that the job he had. hadn't been able to finish the job. He hoped it would rain. So when investigators searched Don's home, they find multiple gallons of parents' choice distilled water there as well. Two unopened gallons were found inside the basement. Two more gallons are found outside in a storage container. Those outdoor containers had already been opened. Investigators compared the lot numbers printed on the water jugs found at the residence with a gallon discovered in the woods. And according to the affidavit, the lot numbers matched.

They matched. And it's important to note that matching lot numbers don't necessarily prove where a particular item came from. Large batches of products can share the same lot. Fair. Fair. However, investigators viewed this as another piece of evidence that appeared consistent, again, with Tabitha's account.

That's what they're trying to do here. They're trying to find out if Tabitha's account is accurate. Does the evidence that's laid out point to Tabitha's account being completely true or mostly true, or a little bit true or not true at all. Meanwhile, crime scene investigators focused their attention inside the house. They were drawn to one area in particular. That's the bedroom closet. So if you recall, again, according to Tabitha, Don allegedly claimed that Angela's body was wrapped in a rug and stored inside that closet after her death, after her murder. Investigators seized the flooring from the closet and submitted it for forensic testing at the state crime lab.

and then came what may have been the most significant discoveries of the search effort. Back on Round Mountain Road, deputies report finding spilled concrete in the woods near the gallon of distilled water. Nearby, they also discovered a large blue quilt tied together with a red rope. As they continue searching, they locate what appears to be a specific area of interest deeper into the woods. The affidavit states that investigators find a location. situated between two large rocks, approximately a quarter mile from where they initially entered the wooded area. And at that spot, they reportedly recovered a clear zip tie, strands of clear plastic, and a substantial amount of concrete. Deputies also noted that

smaller rocks had been deliberately arranged around the area in a way that they believe resembled a makeshift grave marker or tombstone. And then just downhill from that location, Investigators, they make another discovery. A large amount of plastic material had been balled up and just discarded nearby. So not technically discarded since they found it. Next to it, they find a piece of pink lace fabric. Investigators believe the material could potentially be part of Angela's underwear or bra. So at this point, investigators were no longer dealing solely with witness statements, right?

Yeah. They had surveillance footage. They have location data. they have physical evidence recovered from the woods, items seized from the home, and multiple details that appear to overlap with Tabitha's account. Tabith is looking trustworthy. The investigation was beginning to move from allegations to solid evidence.

And then came the discovery investigators have been searching for. One of the deputies in the search located a body, believed to be Angela Whitaker, not far from the area where the other items had been recovered. At that point, immediately headed back to Round Mountain Road. And while traveling to the scene, another search was taking place back in West Virginia. Members of the West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Unit,

they're executing a search warrant on Don's White Accura. Because according to the affidavit, they removed carpeting from the trunk area for further forensic examination. Authorities clearly, clearly looking for any evidence that might indicate the vehicle had been used to transport a body. When they arrive at Round Mountain Road, the deputy and members of the Blan County Sheriff's Office walk them through the scene. They're shown the various items that had already been recovered, including the spilled concrete, the distilled water, the quilt tied with rope, the plastic material,

and the pink lace fabric. And then they were taken to the location where the body had been found. And according to this affidavit, we're going over the condition of the remains, they reflected significant decomposition. Investigators observed at the head, partially exposed, while debris covered portions of the torso. The face had decomposed to the point where visual identification was impossible. However, there were still some details that immediately stood out. Investigators observed hair attached to the skull and another strand of hair nearby. It was described as red hair, the fiery red hair, Angela was known for.

much of the body had already reached a skeletal state, but one detail in particular caught investigators' attention, a ring still attached to one of the hands. Earlier in the investigation, Amanda Thayer had told investigators that Angela was known for always wearing a ring, one ring. And at the scene, investigators couldn't immediately determine whether the ring matched Angela's, but it was noted as a possible identifying feature. investigators on the scene, they're saying, though, that evidence is suggesting that the remains that they've found may not have been located exactly where they had originally been left. Because investigators are observing bare tracks in the area and believe the animal activity may have

moved portions of the body from their initial location. That possibly could help explain why some of the evidence appeared scattered throughout the wooded area. So at this point, the focus goes from searching for Angela to identifying the remains and determining exactly what had happened to her. The body was carefully processed and collected as evidence. The remains were transported to the medical examiner's office in Roanoke, Virginia, where a forensic examination would be conducted. All other evidence recovered from Round a Mountain Road was collected and secured by the Blan County Sheriff's Office for further investigation and testing. And after her loved ones were formed. Her daughter, Daisy, made this heartbreaking post. And I'm just going to read it here.

My beautiful mama, Angel Whitaker, rest in peace. We finally found you, Mama. I'm so sorry this happened to you. You didn't deserve it. And I promise that we will do everything in our power to get justice for you. We found out my mom was murdered in Bluefield, West Virginia, and they found her body last night on the Virginia side of Bluefield. The man who murdered her has been arrested in charged. Please continue to pray for our family and pray she gets the justice she deserves. And thank you to everyone who shared and helped us. I love you, Mommy. You're free now. End quote. And then her son, Braden, posted this. Hi, my name is Braden Cross, and I am 18 years old. My younger sister Daisy is only 17. We also have a younger brother, Christopher Jones Jr., who is 12 years old. Our mother, Angel

Whitaker, had been missing for a month until we recently. received heartbreaking news about her case. Tragically, our mother was murdered in West Virginia by someone we thought we could trust. We are devastated and struggling to process this loss, end quote. And by now, investigators believed they had gathered enough evidence to support criminal charges. As you heard Daisy say there, the next challenge would be proving exactly how Angela had died. What happened in the days after her death and whether the evidence recovered from. from the house, the vehicle, and the remote mountainside will ultimately support the case

against Don Pennington in court. Don has officially been charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a deceased human body. If convicted, he faces between 10 and 40 years in prison on the murder charge, along with additional penalties for the concealment charge. He is currently being held at Southern Regional Jail on a $500,000 cash surety bond, and as this case moves through the court system. Many questions remain unanswered. But of course, for Angela Whitaker's family, no arrest, no charges can undo what happened to their loved one, to Angela. Their focus remains on one thing, justice. Angela's daughter Daisy has continued to share her heartbreak and anger on Facebook. One post reads, quote, may this man rot in hell. Cold-blooded murderer, we will get justice for my mom.

You are such a sick individual, end quote. And then Angela's son Braden, he hasn't held back either. On May 14th, he wrote, An ex-girlfriend doesn't just have this information and wait to tell authorities till a month later. They are all just as guilty as the other. Messages don't just get deleted off your phone unless you feel guilty. Karma is a bitch, and in time you all will get yours, end quote.

Clearly, his words reflecting the questions that many of us following this case have been asking since the affidavit became public. Why did it take so long for Tabitha to come forward? Not only that, why did she hear his confession, not go to police, and then decide to go along for a joyride to help him? And first story is true. Why go along with Dawn to the woods in the first place? Well, investigators, I want to know, determine that her actions warrant criminal charges on their own, or is she going to be protected through all this to tell the truth? And then there's the mysterious unnamed man, right? That unnamed man reference in the affidavit.

According to investigators, Tabitha's story is pretty accurate. Well, the individual who allegedly helped Don move Angela's body, who's he? Where's this guy? What did he know? And could potential arrest still be coming? Like right now, there are still gaps in this developing story and case. The affidavit provides investigators versions of events. It doesn't answer every question.

question. Her official cause of death, Angela's official cause of death, it also has not been made public. I have still so many questions. But what we do know is that Angela Whitaker was someone's mother, she was someone's daughter, she was a sister, she was a friend, she was loved. And according to investigators, her life ended in a way that nobody deserves. And for me, my personal questions are, like really personal questions. Why is it that so many cases we cover here are, here are the warning signs. Nobody believing this person ending this way and hindsight is 20-20. Why don't we believe people when they say they are scared? When they say they feel like they're in danger, when they say their safety is at risk, when they say they're being stalked, when they say they're being harassed.

Why don't we listen and believe people when this is what they tell us? As this case continues to unfold, we're going to be watching for updates. Because for Angela's children, their Facebook posts are heartbreaking to me. Until every question is answered and everyone's responsible is held accountable, their fight for justice is far from over.