Betrayed Before Their Wedding: The Shocking Case of David Hoshaw and the Goyena Murders
This article is about the double murder of Angelique “Angel” Goyena and her mother, Vonda, in 2007 that stunned Norfolk, Virginia. Now, the subject of ABC’s Bad Romance: Betrayed, the case reveals how Angel’s fiancé, David Hoshaw, attempted to throw investigators off his trail and evade justice.
After meticulous detective work and a stunning confession, he was ultimately caught. The piece covers the timeline, the main pieces of evidence, and the fallout from this tragic domestic crime that all began in love.
David Hoshaw Buried His Violent Past Behind A Charming Facade
Long before David Wayne Hoshaw Jr. met Angel Goyena, he had a troubled history. He had three wives and was said to have physically abused his first wife, including while she was pregnant.
Hoshaw, a former Air Force member, was released after details of his violent behavior were uncovered. He was a frequent mover with multiple girlfriends, even asking Angel to marry him after a short relationship. Despite their engagement, he was dating another woman, Amanda Knuth, foreshadowing the lies and peril to come.
The Savage Slaying Of Angel And Vonda Goyena Shocked Norfolk.
Angel, 58, and her mother, Vonda, 85, were stabbed to death in their Norfolk home on June 30, 2007, just weeks before Angel was due to marry. The scene was terrible — Angel was declared dead at the house, and Vonda later died at the hospital. There was no forced entry, suggesting it was someone they knew.
Although David Hoshaw had a credible alibi — he had been on a Boy Scouts campout with his son — police remained suspicious of him due to his erratic behavior and distant demeanor during the investigation.
“Letter From The Killer” Left More Questions Than Answers
Bizarre, anonymous letters arrived at the police two weeks after the murders. The writer stated he committed the crime because Angel had refused his advances. He also mocked authorities for failing to nab him.
The letters were intended to deflect suspicion away from Hoshaw, but instead raised red flags. Investigators eventually connected him to the mailings through cellphone data and credit card records that showed he was near the post offices when the letters were sent.
David Hoshaw Attempted To Disappear, But Investigators Followed Up Closely
Following the killings, Hoshaw relocated to Michigan to live with Amanda Knuth, who was expecting his child. He did not go to Angel’s funeral and was distant in the days after her death. For almost two years, police tracked him, amassing circumstantial evidence.
They believed he had placed this distance between their too-tight-knit lifetimes, had time to get away from the camp, commit the murder, and get back before anyone would notice — a theory that was subsequently borne out by the timing of his movements and its records.
A Secret Confession Sealed His Fate Forever
When police later arrested Hoshaw in 2009, he denied being involved in the murders. But in an interrogation room during a private moment with Amanda, he confessed. What he did not realize was that the police were watching and recording the conversation. He admitted to stabbing the two women and sending the letters to throw off the police. This admission provided investigators with the physical evidence they needed to charge him.
Hoshaw Did Plead Guilty, In Exchange For The State Not Seeking The Death Penalty
Hoshaw pleaded guilty to capital murder and first-degree murder in 2010. He pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty. The court imposed a sentence of two life terms with no possibility of parole.
Of his statement, he said he was pleading guilty for his family’s sake, but his confession, along with his past behavior, told a far more sinister tale. He is currently serving his time at River North Correctional Center in Virginia.
FAQs
Who was David Hoshaw?
He was the fiancé of Angel Goyena and a former Air Force member with a domestic violence past who shot and killed Angel and her mother.
What drove David Hoshaw to do so?
He wanted to leave Angel for another woman, Amanda, and attempted to hide the crime behind a series of false letters, as well as a false alibi.
How did the police catch him?
His ties to the murders were established through phone records, credit card data, and a recorded confession.
Where is David Hoshaw now?
He is serving two life terms, without the possibility of parole, at the River North Correctional Center in Virginia.
Did David confess?
Yes. He admitted in a monitored conversation with Amanda in a police interview room.
Final Words
Angel and Vonda Goyena’s murders are a vile reminder of how concealed abuse and betrayal can result in unimaginable endings. David Hoshaw attempted to disseminate falsehoods, but the truth prevailed. That story remains relevant now: It’s a window into how someone trusted can become lethal — and how perseverance on the part of law enforcement can bring long-awaited resolution.
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