The father of a 27-year-old woman reportedly beheaded in a San Carlos, California, street shared that he “would beg” his daughter to “leave” the suspect.
On Thursday, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office reported that an “adult male” was in custody for the murder. Earlier that morning, witnesses “flagged down” police near Magnolia and Laurel about “an assault in progress,” police stated.
At the scene, officers found Karina Castro dead. “Shortly after that, the suspect returned to the scene” and was arrested for her murder, PEOPLE reported.
Castro was a mom to two girls, 7 and 1, and a former Menlo-Atherton High School student. At the time of her death, she worked as a DoorDash driver.
Jose Landaeta Solano, 33, who also goes by Rafa Solano, is in custody.
He has been confirmed as the victim’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her 1-year-old. Karina was granted a restraining order against Landaeta in April but reportedly still saw him.
Karina’s father told ABC 7 that he took every chance to try to stop her from seeing him.
“Every time I saw her, I would beg her. Don’t talk to him. Leave him, and it seemed like the more I did that, the more she would see him,” Marty Castro told the news station. “She was an amazing girl.”
The victim’s grandmother Danielle Gannon shared the same sentiments, stating that Karina “was an amazing woman, very stubborn, determined to raise her daughters on her own.” The suspect suffered from mental health issues and alcoholism.
“He is a diagnosed schizophrenic on meds. And he would use that as an excuse for his behavior. He drank excessively, and you’re not supposed to do that on those kind of medications,” Gannon said.
Snapchat messages between the former choke show that she threatened to expose his alleged relationship with another man, which later led to an altercation outside of her home.
“He got really mad, went to the trunk of his car, pulled out whatever it was, and killed her right there behind her car,” Marty said.
Chapel Thorborne, a neighbor, described the scene to the outlet.
“The head was underneath the car, and she was laying in back of the car, just severed, and then they covered her up.”
Karina’s family learned about the incident through the media. Marty said that he rushed to the scene and told responders that his daughter was the victim.
“When the deputy walked up, he would not confirm who it was. But I said that she owned that black Volkswagen. He said yeah, that’s her car. I said, ‘That’s my daughter.’ “
The family is also fighting for Karina’s two daughters as authorities took them after she was killed.
“I want those girls. That’s what I want first, then I want Rafa to fry in jail. I don’t care what happens to him,” Karina’s grandmother said.
In a warning to other parents, the mourning father advised, “If there’s somebody out there abusing your daughter, don’t take off. Don’t let it go. Don’t take no for an answer. You feel responsible, no matter what anyone says.”
Holy crap!!!!!! I used to play on that street corner!!!!!!