Victor Serriteno was sentenced to 73 years to life in prison for his heinous crimes, including the murder of Priscilla Castro and the arson-set Markley Fire that claimed the lives of Douglas Mai and Leon Bone. According to the Vacaville Police Department, the sentencing on Wednesday brought some measure of closure to a case that has haunted the communities of Vacaville and Solano County since August 2020.
The fire, which erupted near Lake Berryessa, devastated thousands of acres and numerous homes, was no accident; it was a deliberate act meant to cover up a murder. A post by the Vacaville Police Department recounted the days when the sky stayed ominously orange, originally thought to be the result of the LNU Lightning Complex fires, but later revealed to be far more sinister.
Court proceedings culminating on Wednesday painted a stark picture of Serriteno's crimes. As reported by Solano County News, he pleaded no contest and was found guilty on five counts, including two charges of first-degree murder and various arson charges. On August 16, 2020, Castro was last seen driving into Vacaville.
Investigative efforts by the Vacaville Police and allied agencies pieced together the events leading to Castro's death and the devastating fire. A key piece of evidence was a pendant belonging to Castro, which helped identify her badly burned remains. Despite the complexities of the investigation, the authorities remained undeterred, leading to Serriteno's conviction and subsequent sentencing. In a heart-rending statement, per Solano County News, Lisa Phelps, Castro's mother, expressed her profound appreciation to the Vacaville Police for their support during her family's trying time.
