Share this @internewscast.com

A Northern California blaze in 2020 that became part of one of the biggest and deadliest wildfires in state history was deliberately set to cover up the murder of a woman, officials have revealed. Now the suspect in that killing is also facing charges in the deaths of two fire victims.

Victor Serriteno, 29, of Vacaville, has been in prison awaiting trial in the death of 32-year-old Priscilla Castro, who vanished while on a date with him in August 2020. Her burned body was found the following month near Lake Berryessa in Solano County, about 60 miles west of Sacramento. 

“Based on an extensive eight-month-long investigation, we believe Serriteno deliberately set the Markley Fire in an attempt to conceal his crime,” Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara said at a news conference Wednesday.

The deaths of 82-year-old Douglas Mai and 64-year-old Leon “James” Bone, whose bodies were found near where Castro’s body was discovered, had been blamed on the Markley fire. Those two deaths have now been classified as homicides.

The 30,000-acre Markley Fire merged with other wildfires to become part the massive LNU Lightning Complex blaze, one of the largest ever in California. It burned 363,000 acres, killing six people and destroying 1,500 homes and other buildings.

“The moment a fire begins burning, there’s an element within Cal Fire that begins investigating how those started,” Solano County sheriff’s Lt. Jackson Harris explained at the news conference. “And with the scope and size of this fire … unfortunately it just took a little bit of time.”

Area residents were appalled to hear the news. Many had thought the Markley Fire had been caused by lightning.

Serriteno has pleaded not guilty to Castro’s murder. He’ll be arraigned Friday on homicide and arson charges in the two men’s deaths in Solano County, officials said.

Castro’s family has been devastated again.

“I knew there were ugly people in the world, but I never knew they would do something to someone so close to us,” Castro’s sister Jasmine Castro told CBS Channel 13 Sacramento.

Her mother, Lisa Phelps Nunez, said: “You kind of pull anything out of your mind to see her again or that it didn’t really happen.”

Castro’s family understands what the families of the Markley Fire victims are going through.

“We know the pain,” said Jasmine Castro. Serriteno “doesn’t deserve to get away with not one bit of this,” she added.

Source: huffpost

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Incident in Wisconsin: Daughter Allegedly Uses Rock in Mother’s Fatal Attack

A tragic event unfolded in Wisconsin this week, as a local mother…

Self-Proclaimed ‘Savage’ Sentenced for Gruesome Dismemberment of Teacher

Left: Harold Francis Landon III (Prince George”s County police). Right: Mariame Toure…

Police Report: Child, 9, Found in Hot Car After Day While Mother Worked

Background: The Galena Park plant on the 1200 block of Mayo Shell…

Basement Captive Case Escalates: Suspect Faces Murder Charges, According to Police

Inset: Donnie Ray Birchfield (Lancaster County Detention Center). Background: A blurred image…

Tragic Incident at Spirit Halloween: Security Guard Fatally Confronts Alleged Shoplifter

Inset: Josiah Armijo (Metropolitan Detention Center). Background: The Spirit Halloween store located…

Shocking Family Tragedy: Son Fatally Shoots Mother After Bedtime Dispute

Kevin Marin (Doña Ana County Detention Center). In a disturbing incident in…

Shocking Incident: 5-Year-Old Left Alone on Street as Mom Shops at Target

Inset: Maureen O’Neill (Walton County Jail). Background: Walton County Sheriff’s Office (Google…

Trio Faces Charges Following Burglary Incident in South-East Melbourne

Three men have been charged following a daring robbery involving stolen vehicles…

Renowned Georgia Dentist Disappears Without a Trace, Sparking Community Concern

Authorities in Georgia are currently probing the mysterious disappearance of a prominent…

Levy County Incident: Gainesville Man Faces Arrest for Alleged Gun Threat

By Staff Writer GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have detained William Leo King,…

Police Investigate Allegations of Pre-K Teacher’s Physical Misconduct Towards Children

Background: Claxton Elementary School in Claxton, Georgia (Evans County Schools). Inset left:…

Jared Fogle’s Surprising Prison Life: How the Former Subway Spokesman is Spending His Time Behind Bars

Jared Fogle, once the face of Subway, asserts that he was misled…