An 61-year-old Fresno man whose DNA from the early 2000s is linked to cold case murder and two rape cases, authorities said, causing other crimes.
According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Robert Castillo was arrested on suspicion of murdering 43-year-old Barbara Lee, also known as Barbara Parker, at his home in Fresno, northwest Fresno. Lee was found dead on October 31, 2004 on the land between the intersection of California Avenue and Polk Avenue.
Fresnoby reported that Lee was last seen on October 30th and that her body was found by the resident the following day. She had been killed in the same area where her body was found, authorities said in 2004.
The murder detective interviewed several people who knew Lee in 2004, but was unable to determine who killed her, causing the incident to get cold. Last year, the Cold Case Unit Review Board, consisting of murder detectives, crime analysts, prosecutors and district attorney investigators, resumed the case.
The detectives linked Castillo to two rape cases with Lee’s death and DNA samples from 2003 and 2004. The sheriff’s office said in a statement that the third rape incident was being dealt with due to potential ties with Castillo. Authorities did not provide any additional information regarding the incident.
Castillo’s DNA was discovered in a database known as the Combined DNA Index System or Codis, which helps law enforcement connect the crime scene to individuals previously convicted of a particular crime. Castillo spent time in prison for property crimes in the mid-1980s, late 1990s and mid-2000s, but until 2007 his DNA was not entered into the database.
Castillo is charged with one count of murder and two counts of sexual penetration by force for Lee’s death. He is also faced with rape counts and two forced oral mating cases for the September 2004 attack and rape counts for assaults that occurred in October 2003, according to court records.
If convicted, he faces the largest life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case. Castillo is in custody in lieu of $2.1 million bail. His attorney could not immediately contact him for comment.
Lee’s murder was one of nine cold cases resolved in the past year, the sheriff’s office said.
“It’s not easy in the world we live in. There’s a tough schedule that we all have. Never forget these victims in fact.” Lisa Smitcamp said in a statement. “I would like to express my sadness to the Lee family. It will be extremely difficult for them to be unearthed again in 20 years.”
Anyone with information about Castillo will be asked to contact Special Investigator Sergio Toscano (559) 600-8027. You can also send tips to Valley Crime Stoppers by visiting www.valleycrimestoppers.org using Reference Case #04-25747.
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