Phoenix Police Department investigators have linked a murder suspect, Leonardo Santiago, to a second homicide that occurred earlier this year near 23rd Avenue and Dunlap Avenue.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, in the afternoon of March 20, 2023, officers were called to an unknown trouble call in a commercial area near 24th Avenue and Mission Lane. When officers arrived, they found 20-year-old Osvaldo Hernandez Castillo inside a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound. The fire department responded and provided medical aid to Castillo, but he died from his injuries on scene.
Homicide detectives were called to investigate the shooting where they processed the scene and collected evidence for analysis. The case remained active until new information was discovered during an unrelated homicide case in which the victim was mutilated, that occurred in November 2023.
Detectives were able to uncover digital evidence to link Santiago to the homicide. On December 7th, Santiago was questioned by detectives regarding the new evidence and admitted to his involvement in the March homicide.
In that case, Santiago, Manuel Carrasco Calderon, and Jose Rodriguez were arrested in connection to the murder of Bernardo Pantaleon.
According to ABC15.com, “Pantaleon was found with multiple gunshot wounds and his body had been “mutilated” with significant injuries by a sharp object.
Santiago was booked for a second charge of First-Degree Murder. The investigation remains active.