Man pleads guilty to killing Hania Aguilar, gets life in prison

LUMBERTON, NC (WMBF) – A man will spend life behind bars after pleading guilty in the 2018 death of a Lumberton teenager.

MORE COVERAGE | Sheriff: Robeson County teen’s killer tried to flee before, after hearing

Michael McLellan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder charges in the death of 13-year-old Hania Aguilar on Friday.

Lumberton police said McLellan also pleaded guilty to charges in separate attacks in 2016 and 2018 by two other, unrelated victims.

A judge then sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Officials added that McLellan admitted to kidnapping Aguilar from her driveway on Nov. 5, 2018, before killing her and disposing of her body.

Weeks after her disappearance, Aguilar’s body was found. An autopsy report shows she died of “homicidal violence by undetermined means.”

Aguilar’s case has been the subject of national attention in the years since.

Friends and family of Aguilar were also at Friday’s hearing, and many said justice has been a slow process filled with bittersweet emotions.

Others reflected on coming face to face with Aguilar’s now-convicted killer.

“I didn’t look him in the eye,” said Emy Moscoso, a friend of Aguilar’s. “But I saw him sitting between his lawyers and I thought, ‘How could he have done that to an angel? To an innocent little girl? Harmless child?’ I asked all these questions, but I guess I’ll never get an answer because I don’t want to talk to him. He’s a monster.”

“Everyone at the Lumberton Police Department is humbled and grateful to bring justice for Hania, her family and this community,” Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeill said in a statement. “This case has demonstrated our relentless commitment and tireless efforts to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions. Before you go to bed tonight, please pray that Hania’s family will begin to heal their broken hearts.”

“The FBI has worked tirelessly from the day Hania was steadily taken outside her home until now, when justice was served,” added Robert W. DeWitt, FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. “We hope that Hania’s family and McClellan’s other victims take some comfort in knowing that he will spend the rest of his life in prison for his heinous crimes.”

Stay with WMBF News for updates.

Copyright 2024 WMBF. All rights reserved.