Tragedy on Easter Sunday: Utah Woman Angela Yajahira Cortes Villegas Found Murdered in Atlanta, Family and Community Left Reeling
ATLANTA, GA — What should have been a day of peace and reflection turned into a nightmare this Easter Sunday, as the life of 20-year-old Angela Yajahira Cortes Villegas was tragically cut short in a violent and senseless act that has left two states mourning. Angela, a young woman from Utah, was found dead near Crest Lawn Memorial Park in northwest Atlanta, her body riddled with multiple gunshot wounds.
According to Atlanta police, officers responded to a report of a person down on Sunday evening. Upon arriving at the scene near the quiet cemetery grounds, they discovered Angela’s body. The brutality of the crime shocked even seasoned investigators.
Due to the severity of the injuries, Angela was initially unrecognizable. It was only through her distinctive tattoos that authorities were able to confirm her identity, linking her back to her home state of Utah where her family and loved ones had no idea they were about to receive the most devastating news imaginable.
Angela’s family is now facing an unimaginable loss. In a statement shared through relatives, they described her as a “bright spirit,” full of energy, creativity, and love for life. “Angela was the light in any room. She had big dreams and a bigger heart,” a close family member said. “She didn’t deserve this. None of us deserve this pain.”
Her death raises troubling questions about how a young woman from Utah ended up the victim of such a brutal crime hundreds of miles away in Georgia. Police have released few details regarding the circumstances of her death, and the investigation is still in its early stages. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly named.
Authorities are working tirelessly to piece together Angela’s final hours. Investigators are asking the public for assistance, urging anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area of Crest Lawn Memorial Park on Easter Sunday to come forward.
Angela’s murder is the latest in a string of violent crimes that have unsettled the Atlanta community, and it has reignited conversations around the safety of young women—especially those who may be traveling or living away from home. For Angela’s family in Utah, those conversations are now painfully personal.
“She was our daughter, our sister, our friend,” said one family member. “She had so much ahead of her. Her story should have never ended this way.”
The grief stretches far beyond her immediate family. Friends and community members in both Utah and Georgia are organizing vigils and online tributes to honor her life and demand justice. Social media has lit up with memories, photos, and messages of heartbreak, calling for Angela’s killer to be found and held accountable.
As the investigation continues, police are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Atlanta Police Department or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477). A reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.
Angela Yajahira Cortes Villegas was only 20 years old. She had dreams, potential, and a family that loved her dearly. Her story must not end in silence or injustice. As her loved ones prepare to lay her to rest, they do so with a single, urgent plea: Find who did this.
This Easter, as many celebrated hope and renewal, a family was left broken. And a young life, full of promise, became another tragic entry in a growing list of victims who deserve justice—and whose stories demand to be told.