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The search for the woman who went missing more than a year ago came to an end after detectives found her body in the desert of Needles, California, officials announced Tuesday.
Detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department believe they have identified the person responsible for her loss after a year of searches overcoming eight different search operations, helping around 100 volunteers and a witness who refused to cooperate with investigators.
Tyna Castillo, 42, was reported missing on February 3, 2024 after a friend said she hadn’t heard from her since December 2023.
Castillo, a mother of two, grew up in Rosemead, but later moved to Arizona, according to the GoFundMe campaign the family launched.
“She was creative, artistic, cook and had a deep love for music,” reads the online fundraiser. “More than anything, Taina had an incredible ability to connect with others.”
However, Castillo went missing shortly after traveling to Needles, California to visit the man.
A friend couldn’t answer a message to Castillo, urging lawmakers and investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Division and Colora River Station to begin her first search without any consequences.
During the investigation, detectives received hints that they could have been killed at the needle house, but officials said they had received little cooperation from eyewitnesses.
“The incident was cold and no Castillo was found,” according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office.
Then, in September 2024, the department’s cold case murder team took over the lawsuit, and investigators contacted several new possible witnesses. Information gathered from eyewitnesses prompted officials to carry out eight search operations using the department’s search and rescue team, search dogs, San Bernardino County public works, and about 100 volunteers.
On March 5, officials said Castillo’s body was found in the Needle desert area near the Colorado River. A statement from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office showed she was shot.
Detectives identified Jared Weiner as the suspect, according to the statement. On May 6, Weiner was arrested and taken into custody by Bullhead City Police Officers in Arizona on unrelated charges.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said Weiner will be handed over to California on a murder warrant.
Authorities did not provide details about how the two met or what could have led to the fatal shooting.
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