MARIETTA, GEORGIA: In a significant breakthrough in the cold case spanning nearly four years, three people have been taken into custody in connection with the mysterious disappearance and presumed death of Matilde Gonzalez.
On October 12, 2019, the Georgia woman was reported missing by her family based in Powder Springs, and an investigation into her vanishing was launched, according to the Cobb County Police Department's Facebook post on September 11.
Who are the three suspects in Matilde Gonzalez's death?
Alejandra Castro 41, Samantha Vasquez, 20, and Abel Castro, 45, are the three suspects in the death case of Matilde Gonzalez.
According to the official statement, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office said at the time of Gonzalez's disappearance, there were “suspicious circumstances” related to her missing.
In the statement issued, the Cobb County Police Department added that "foul play" was suspected from the beginning of the case.
Consequently, the investigation into her missing was handed over to the department's Cold Case Unit.
Despite the case going cold, investigators continued to persist in their quest for justice, and a major breakthrough in the case came on September 8, 2023.
The Cobb County Police Department investigated the case in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and executed a search warrant at a residence in Paulding County, Georgia which ultimately led to the arrests of the suspects, according to People.
What are the charges against the suspects in Matilde Gonzalez's death?
Vasquez faces malice murder charges while Abel is charged with concealing a death and cruelty to children, and Alejandra has been charged with malice murder, concealing a death, and cruelty to children charges.
It remains unclear if the suspects have entered pleas or if they have retained legal representation.
Additionally, the nature of the relationship between the victim and the arrested individuals is yet to be disclosed.
The arrest warrants for the three suspects reveal distressing details about Gonzalez's death as authorities believe she was killed during an altercation at a residence in Cobb County, after which Abel Castro and Alejandra allegedly disposed of her body.
Shockingly, investigators also revealed that the arrested individuals allegedly tricked the victim's son into believing that his mother was still alive by having someone impersonate her and also by contacting him using a Mexican phone number.
The investigation into Gonzalez's tragic death is still ongoing and her remains have yet to be recovered, according to the statement.
