The Hays County Sheriff's Office continues its search for answers in the unresolved death of a man in Kyle, Texas, whose burnt remains were discovered last year. According to FOX 7 Austin, the remains were found on July 10, 2023, on private property in the 400 block of Running Bull Lane and were later identified as those of 20-year-old Valentin Castro. An autopsy was carried out, but, the results have yet to provide a definitive answer to the circumstances of Castro's death.
"When you have an incident like this, it's incumbent upon us to figure out what happened," Deputy Anthony Hipolito with the Hays County Sheriff's Office stated. "We felt it was important to get a picture out there because someone may recognize Mr. Castro." Investigators believe that even the smallest bit of information from the public might prove helpful in solving this case. Officials are urging anyone with knowledge to come forward, revealing that it's not clear how long Castro's remains had been lying there prior to their discovery.
In a touching and heartfelt interview obtained by KVUE, Blanca Estella Ramirez Lopez, Castro’s mother, said, "The truth is that they ripped my heart out. And it hurts. It hurts so much. My heart tells me that my son was murdered." Her conviction stems from her intimate knowledge of her son, his plan to visit her in Mexico, and his will to live. She carries the weight of unanswered questions, a burden no parent should have to bear.
As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives have uncovered a few leads. They retrieved and rebuilt several cell phones from the burn pile with assistance from the Secret Service, which provided some information about Castro's connections to drugs. "I saw messages where there was some solicitation for him for drugs. And then there was, him soliciting drugs from other people. To what extent? We're not too sure," Detective David Maddocks admitted. Meanwhile, the absence of clothing and accelerants at the scene suggests a potential homicide, according to Maddocks, who mentioned that law enforcement has seen fire used as a weapon in other areas close to the Mexican border.
Valentin Castro’s death occurred sometime between the evening of July 9, 2023, and the following morning. Detectives are calling on anyone with information to contact Detective David Maddocks at the Hays County Sheriff’s Office at 512-749-1186 or via his email at [email protected]. Alternately, tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-TIPS, online at P3tips.com, or through the Hays County Sheriff’s Office App.
