In the early morning hours of December 16, 2023, 22-year-old Damon Anthony Michael Tampke was found with a gunshot wound to the head in an apartment on the 2100 block of Singing Wind Drive in Kerrville, Texas. The initial 911 call, placed around 4:49 a.m., reported the incident as a suicide. Upon arrival, Kerrville Police Department officers discovered evidence suggesting that the gunshot wound was not self-inflicted.
Consequently, the 26-year-old woman who made the call, identified as Ashley Alyce Castillo, was arrested and charged with murder.
Tampke was transported to Peterson Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His body was subsequently sent to the Travis County Medical Examiner for an autopsy. Following further investigation, new information emerged that led to the dismissal of the murder charge against Castillo. She was released from the Kerr County Jail on December 17, 2023. Detectives continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding Tampke's death.
Damon Tampke was born on August 24, 2001, in Kerrville, Texas. He graduated as valedictorian from Lone Star High School in Edinburgh, Texas, in May 2019. Known for his athleticism and academic excellence, he was also cherished for his love of family, music, and playing dominoes. He is survived by his sister, Makayla Arreola; brother, Derrion Tampke; grandmother, Jaclyn Robinson; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael Tampke and Melissa Arreola.
Funeral services were held at Kerrville Funeral Home, with visitation on December 27, 2023, and the funeral service on December 28, followed by burial at Mountain View Cemetery. The family requested continued prayers during this difficult time.
As of now, no further arrests have been made, and the investigation into the circumstances of Damon Tampke's death remains ongoing. Authorities have not disclosed additional details regarding potential suspects or the nature of the new information that led to the dismissal of charges against Castillo. The community awaits further updates as detectives work to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident.
