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Merced County Detectives Arrest Suspect Nearly 5 Years After Dos Palos Killing
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By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 1 hour ago on
September 25, 2026

A Firebaugh man was arrested on suspicion of murder nearly five years after Christian Castillo was found shot to death near Dos Palos, authorities said. (Merced County SO)

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Merced County sheriff’s detectives arrested a 32-year-old Firebaugh man in connection with a 2021 homicide after nearly five years of investigation, authorities said.

Christian Castillo was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds Sept. 17, 2021, along a canal bank near Denton and Leak roads in the Dos Palos area, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives continued investigating the case for nearly five years, conducting interviews, following leads, and developing and corroborating evidence, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators ultimately identified Isaac Rea Perez, 32, of Firebaugh as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

Detectives served the warrant Aug. 27 as Perez was being released from Kern Valley State Prison, authorities said.

Perez was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on a murder warrant.

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Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.
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