Jose Solano Landaeta Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder in Beheading of Karina Castro

Accident – Death – Obituary News : SAN MATEO COUNTY — A horrifying crime has shocked the community as a man has been found guilty of first-degree murder for beheading the mother of his child on a San Carlos street. The verdict was delivered on Monday by a jury at the San Mateo County Superior Court.

The accused, Jose Solano Landaeta, stood trial for the murder of Karina Castro, which took place on September 8, 2022. Deputy District Attorney Josh Keckley-Stauffer presented the killing as an act of “vengeance,” while the defense argued that it was an act of self-defense by a man struggling with mental health issues.

During the trial, several exchanges between Landaeta and Castro on social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat were presented as evidence, revealing a volatile relationship between the two. These exchanges included threats and allegations, with Castro threatening to expose alleged sexual encounters between Solano and an underage girl. In response, Solano sent menacing messages on Instagram, including a ninja emoji followed by blood emojis. He also threatened to take their children away, asserting that their daughter would carry his last name and Castro would have no rights to their child.

Eyewitness testimony played a crucial role in the trial. One witness, who was walking with friends on Laurel Street where the gruesome killing occurred, tearfully recounted the horrifying moments. She stated, “The one thing I remember is she asked, ‘Are you going to hit me?'” The witness added that she feared for her life, believing that she and her friends could be next.

The witness also testified that she saw Solano and Castro engaged in a heated argument outside Castro’s apartment just before Solano retrieved a sword from his car, which was later identified as the weapon used to behead Castro.

The shocking incident came to light in September 2022 when deputies were alerted to an ongoing assault near Magnolia Avenue and Laurel Street. Responding swiftly, the deputies discovered the lifeless body of a woman at the scene. The suspect, later identified as Jose Rafael Solano Landaeta, had returned to the scene and was promptly apprehended by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s office.

Following the guilty verdict, the jury will now deliberate on aggravating factors after receiving instructions from the court. The sentencing phase of the trial is expected to bring further clarity and closure to this tragic case.

The community remains deeply disturbed and saddened by this gruesome act of violence. The trial has shed light on the importance of addressing mental health issues and fostering healthy relationships to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

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