Arrest made in 20-year-old homicide case in Fresno County, deputies say

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An apprehension has been made successful a Fresno County acold lawsuit from 2004 aft investigators accidental DNA proved instrumental successful uncovering their suspect. Detectives present judge the fishy successful the lawsuit whitethorn person had different victims.

On Friday, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office announced the apprehension of 61-year-old Robert Castillo successful transportation with the decease of 43-year-old Barbara Lee (also known arsenic Barbara Parker).

The apprehension followed the instauration of a “Cold Case Unit Review Board,” which began reviewing the lawsuit of Barbara Lee. Lee was recovered dormant successful a ungraded tract adjacent the intersection of California and Polk Avenues successful Fresno connected October 31, 2004.

43-year-old Barbara Lee (image courtesy of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office)

Detectives said astatine the clip they interviewed respective radical who knew Lee, but ne'er developed accusation astir who killed her. Officials accidental the usage of DNA allowed instrumentality enforcement to comparison and corroborate DNA samples that led to the apprehension of 61-year-old Robert Castillo of Fresno.

On April 10, detectives with the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (ViCAT) were tasked with contacting Robert Castillo and arresting him connected suspicion of the decease and intersexual battle of Barbara Lee.

Robert Castillo, from 1994 to 2025 (images courtesy of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office)

Castillo’s DNA was past compared with different unfastened cases astatine the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators accidental a lucifer was made with a 2003 rape lawsuit and a 2004 rape case. 

According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Castillo has an extended transgression past dating backmost to 1981. He served situation sentences successful the mid-80s, precocious 90s, and mid-2000s for spot crimes.

Investigators said they are acrophobic that Robert Castillo whitethorn person different victims retired determination who ne'er made a constabulary report. If you admit him arsenic committing a transgression against you, delight telephone the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office astatine 559-600-3111