A City Heights apartment became the center of a homicide investigation after San Diego police found a woman unresponsive and later arrested her boyfriend, 38-year-old Jose Manuel Casteneda, on suspicion of killing her.
Officers were called to a unit near 54th Street and Trojan Avenue, where they discovered the victim, described by investigators as a woman in her 30s. She was rushed to a hospital but did not survive. Police later arrested Casteneda at the Colina Del Sol apartment the couple shared, and investigators say he is expected to face murder charges.
What police found
When officers entered the apartment last Saturday, they found the woman with injuries to her face and blood in several areas inside the unit, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Homicide detectives have since taken over the case, and the paper reports that Casteneda, 38, was booked in connection with the woman’s death.
How investigators are handling the case
The San Diego Police Department lists its Homicide Unit contact information online and is urging anyone with details about what happened to reach out at (619) 531-2293. Detectives spent the weekend processing the crime scene, collecting physical evidence and conducting interviews as the investigation moved forward.
Neighborhood context
Colina Del Sol, within the larger City Heights area, has seen recurring heavy police responses in recent years, including a September 2025 standoff that triggered shelter-in-place orders and closed nearby schools, according to local TV station 10News. Neighbors told the station during past incidents that a major police presence around the 4300 block of 54th Street is not unusual when serious investigations unfold.
Charges and next steps
Police told The San Diego Union-Tribune they expect Casteneda to be charged with murder, although prosecutors still need to review the case before filing formal charges. Investigators say the case remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence and speak with witnesses.
How to help
Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tips can be submitted anonymously online, the department notes. Authorities are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who saw or heard anything unusual near 54th Street and Trojan Avenue on Saturday.
