She moved 100 miles for a job. Police say her boyfriend lured her to her death.
Angel Whitaker moved to West Virginia for a new career, but police say the offer was a trap set by a man she trusted.
When you love someone, you trust them when they offer a fresh start. Sometimes, that trust can cost you everything.
Angel Whitaker, a 37-year-old mother of three, left her home in Bristol, Virginia, in January 2026. She moved more than 100 miles to Bluefield, West Virginia.
Her boyfriend, 59-year-old Donald Pennington, had offered her a job. He told her she would be a manager at an auto parts store.
The two moved in together, but the romance quickly went bad. Whitaker's family lost contact with her in April. Her sister reported her missing on May 4.
By then, Whitaker had moved to a hotel to get away from Pennington.
On May 12, Pennington's ex-girlfriend came forward to police. She said Pennington choked Whitaker to death and took a photo of her body.
She also said they bought concrete to bury her in Virginia.
What the evidence shows
- 100 miles: How far Whitaker moved for the job in January 2026.
- April 17, 2026: The last day anyone saw Whitaker alive.
- 1 photo: A picture Pennington allegedly took of the body and showed his ex-girlfriend.
- 2 phones: Destroyed by being soaked in bleach with their cards removed.
- Multiple bags of concrete: Bought at a store in Bluefield, Virginia.
The Bigger Question
How do we protect people who leave their homes for a new start? When a job offer comes from a partner, it can blend love with money needs.
This makes it much harder to see the traps. We should ask how often isolation is used to control someone before violence even begins.
The Other Side
Pennington has pleaded not guilty to murder and hiding a body. His lawyer will likely point out that police have not found Whitaker's body, even after using search dogs at the site.
This lack of physical proof makes the case hard for the state, as they rely mostly on the word of an ex-girlfriend who deleted her texts.
What Happens Now
Three children ages 18, 17, and 12 are now without a mother. The family has set up an online fund to help pay for her burial.
Pennington remains in jail in West Virginia while he waits for his trial.
What We Still Don't Know
- Where are Angel Whitaker's remains?
- Why did the search dogs fail to find her body at the spot the ex-girlfriend pointed out?
- Was there ever a real job opening at the store, or was the offer a lie from the start?
Transparency notes
Published: May 25, 2026. Last updated: May 25, 2026.
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