Lisa Marie Gastelum

Lisa Marie Gastelum, a 51-year-old Latina, tragically lost her life on February 15, 2015, in the Santa Susana Mountains, California. The incident occurred in the 24900 block of Pico Canyon Road in Stevenson Ranch. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, Gastelum was shot and killed by her husband, Ismael Herbe Castro, in what was later identified as a murder-suicide. The couple had just left a Federal Express store together around 8:40 p.m. when the tragic event unfolded. Castro shot Gastelum before turning the gun on himself. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, with Gastelum being declared deceased at 9:04 p.m.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recovered a weapon at the scene and initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the dispute that led to the shooting. The investigation revealed that the couple had three grown children, adding another layer of tragedy to the incident. The Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau took charge of the case, urging anyone with additional information to come forward. They provided contact details for anonymous tips, highlighting the community's role in aiding the investigation.

Despite the clear circumstances of the murder-suicide, the case remained under investigation to uncover any underlying factors or motives that might have contributed to the tragic event. The Sheriff's Department continued to seek information from the public, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in resolving such cases. The incident left a lasting impact on the local community, with many mourning the loss of Lisa Marie Gastelum and grappling with the shock of the violent act committed by her husband.