ARIZONA NEWS

Suspect in brutal murder/mutilation case implicated in another Phoenix homicide

Dec 8, 2023, 9:23 AM | Updated: 11:43 am

Mugshot of Leonardo Santiago, who has been accused of first-degree murder in two Phoenix cases....

Leonardo Santiago has been accused of first-degree murder in two Phoenix cases. (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)

(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)

PHOENIX — One of the suspects in the high-profile murder and mutilation of a gay man at a Phoenix park has been implicated in a second homicide case, authorities said Friday.

Leonardo Santiago, 21, was booked on a first-degree murder charge in the March shooting death of Osvaldo Hernandez Castillo, the Phoenix Police Department said.

Santiago, a suspected gang member, was already in custody after being arrested Saturday in connection with the death of 30-year-old Bernardo Pantaleon last month.

What are the details of Phoenix murder case from March?

Hernandez Castillo, 20, was found the afternoon of March 20 with a gunshot wound near 24th and Dunlap avenues, police said. He died after being taken to a hospital.

No arrests were made at the time, but the case remained active. New digital evidence linking Santiago to Hernandez Castillo’s death was uncovered during the investigation into the Pantaleon case, police.

“Santiago was questioned by detectives regarding the new evidence and admitted to his involvement in the March homicide,” Sgt. Phil Krynsky said in a press release.

What was Leonardo Santiago already in custody?

Santiago is one of four men with alleged gang ties who have been arrested in the past week in the Pantaleon case.

Pantaleon was found dead, with multiple gunshot wounds, at Mountain View Park near Seventh and Peoria avenues on Nov. 26. He had injuries to his head, neck and torso, and his body was mutilated, according to court documents.

Evidence indicated that Pantaleon may have been targeted because of his sexuality.

Santiago, 21-year-old Manuel Carrasco Calderon and 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez were taken into custody Saturday, and 21-year-old Christopher Ibarra Santana was arrested Tuesday.

All four men were booked on counts of first-degree murder and other charges related to Pantaleon’s death.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

51 minutes ago

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

2 hours ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

4 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

5 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

6 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Suspect in brutal murder/mutilation case implicated in another Phoenix homicide