When 32-year-old Michael McLellan woke up this morning, he knew he would be returning to a cell where he will spend the rest of his life. A judge sentenced the child-killer to die behind bars, locking him away for the remainder of his natural life for the murder of a 13-year-old girl Hania Aguilar, from Lumberton, North Carolina.
Hania’s tragic story began on the morning of November 5, 2018, when she stepped outside her home at the Rosewood Mobile Home Park to start her aunt’s SUV for school. A man wearing a bandana forced his way into the vehicle, abducting Hania in front of her family. Days later, the stolen SUV was found abandoned, but it wasn’t until November 27 that Hania’s body was discovered in a nearby wooded area, bringing the agonizing search to a devastating close.
Authorities Questioned, Independent Media Scrutinized
In the days following Hania’s abduction, the FBI, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies assured the public they had no suspects or persons of interest. Press conferences encouraged residents to stay vigilant, lock their doors and windows, and report suspicious activity.
However, behind the scenes, information told a different story. Sources from within the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office tipped off The North Carolina Beat, revealing that Michael McLellan was already in custody on unrelated charges and had been questioned about Hania’s disappearance.
On November 28, 2018, we broke the story, identifying McLellan as the suspect. The revelation sent shockwaves across social media, drawing both support and criticism.
Mainstream outlets, including WCTI 12, attempted to discredit our reporting, with FBI Public Affairs Specialist Shelley Lynch even contacting us directly, attempting to intimidate us to stay out of their investigation.
But just ten days later, on December 8, 2018, authorities officially charged McLellan with first-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sex offense, first-degree kidnapping, abduction of a child, and concealment of a death.
That same day, thousands gathered to honor Hania as she was laid to rest, her vibrant life tragically cut short by McLellan’s sinister acts.
Justice Delivered
Six years later, in Robeson County Court Friday, McLellan pleaded guilty to all charges, accepting a life sentence without the possibility of parole. But his day in court wasn’t without chaos. On the way to the Robeson County Courthouse, McLellan attempted to escape custody using a homemade key to unlock his handcuffs. The key malfunctioned, thwarting his plan.
After his sentencing, McLellan made a second escape attempt while being transported back to Central Prison in Raleigh. According to Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, McLellan dismantled a security device known as a “black box” and attempted to overpower a deputy, even gaining partial control of the officer’s firearm during a struggle.
The quick actions of a detention officer, who used pepper spray, forced McLellan to surrender.
Closure for a Grieving Community
With McLellan now securely behind bars, the Lumberton community hopes for healing and closure. Sheriff Wilkins reflected on the case, calling it a important reminder of the dangers officers face daily and the resilience of those seeking justice for victims like Hania Aguilar.
The sentencing marks the end of a dark chapter, but Hania’s memory lives on as a symbol of innocence lost and the pursuit of justice against unthinkable evil. Rest In God’s arm Hania.
