On a tragic Saturday morning in Columbus, Ohio, the life of 26-year-old Nesya Casaleno was cut short in a violent shooting on May 9, 2026. The incident unfolded around 8:20 a.m. when police were called to the 5400 block of Malibu Drive after reports of shots fired. During their response, officers were redirected to the 100 block of Elmsbury Court, where they discovered Casaleno suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency medics arrived at the scene and transported her to a nearby hospital, but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation into Casaleno's death quickly led to the identification and arrest of three suspects: 35-year-old Renan Castro-Gil, 19-year-old Jose Carlos-Martinez, and 18-year-old Carlos Figueroa-Castro. Court records revealed a disturbing history between Castro-Gil and Casaleno, describing their relationship as "turbulent and violent." The inquiry uncovered a sinister plot, alleging that Castro-Gil had offered to pay Carlos-Martinez and Figueroa-Castro $3,000 each to kill Casaleno. This murder-for-hire scheme was reportedly meticulously planned, with arrangements for staged vehicles and knowledge of Casaleno's whereabouts on that fateful morning. There was also a plan in place to conceal the vehicle used in the commission of the crime.
Following their apprehension, the details of the conspiracy began to surface. During police questioning, Carlos Figueroa-Castro allegedly confessed to his involvement, admitting he was present when Casaleno was shot. While Jose Carlos-Martinez denied his participation, he reportedly corroborated several key aspects of Figueroa-Castro's confession. All three men were subsequently charged with aggravated murder and are being held in the Franklin County Jail. The case against the three individuals highlights a premeditated plan born from a volatile relationship, culminating in the tragic and untimely death of a young woman. As the legal proceedings continue, the full scope of this devastating event will be brought to light.
