Balbino Castro, an 87-year-old male, died on August 15, 1997, in Glendale, California. He was one of several elderly patients who fell victim to a series of murders committed by Efren Saldivar, a former respiratory therapist at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. Saldivar, who later referred to himself as the “Angel of Death,” admitted to killing multiple patients under his care by injecting them with Pavulon, a powerful muscle relaxant that causes paralysis and death when not followed by
artificial respiration.
The death of 87-year-old male patient Balbino Castro was part of a broader investigation that began after suspicions arose regarding unusual patient deaths at the hospital. In 1999, the bodies of 20 former patients were exhumed and tested for traces of Pavulon. Six of them, including Balbino Castro, tested positive for the drug. These findings confirmed that the victims had been deliberately poisoned.
Efren Saldivar was arrested and later pled guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. His victims, all elderly, included individuals ranging in age from their mid-70s to late 80s. Saldivar's method involved injecting the patients with Pavulon, a drug not typically used by respiratory therapists, which led to respiratory arrest and death. The case against him was bolstered by scientific evidence and the testimony of a surviving victim.
To avoid the death penalty, Saldivar accepted a plea deal in 2002 and was sentenced to six consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. The plea agreement also included the dismissal of a charge related to stolen medical drugs found in his home. Prosecutors emphasized that the decision to accept the plea ensured that Saldivar would never again pose a threat to society and spared the victims' families the ordeal of a lengthy trial.
