Karina Castro: Woman, 27, beheaded by ex-bf Jose Landaeta with samurai sword had restraining order against him
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
SAN CARLOS, CALIFORNIA: Bay Area was shaken after a man allegedly beheaded his ex-girlfriend in broad daylight outside her home. It is believed the decapitation was done with a samurai sword. The neighbors were unlucky enough to witness this horrific sight but luckily the children, 7 and 1, were inside and did not bear witness to the grisly murder of their mother. Now, authorities believe that the woman was already granted a restriction order and that the man had schizophrenia. After the death of their mother, the children were taken into the custody of Child Protective Services.
Jose Raphael Solano Landaeta, 33, beheaded Karina Castro, 27, outside her Bay Area home on Thursday, September 8, in the full view of her neighbors. He was later arrested with homicide charges. Landaeta reportedly fled the scene but reappeared just when the cops were at the scene which is when he was taken into custody. New information reveals that Landaeta is the father of the one-year-old child that Castro had, but she was granted a restraining order against him in April 2022. Castro's family has now explained that Landaeta is a diagnosed schizophrenic with a history of alcohol issues. He was someone they warned Castro to stay away from but she continued to see him.
RELATED ARTICLES
Jose Landaeta: 'Schizophrenic on meds' arrested for beheading ex-girlfriend Karina Castro
The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office told Patch.com that the weapon used in the beheading was indeed a samurai sword saying, "The defendant attacked the victim with a samurai sword, slashing in numerous times causing the victim’s head to be almost severed." He then went away to put the sword in his car and came back to check upon the lifeless body of his ex-girlfriend.
Karina Castro continued to see ex-bf even after restraining order
The crime which seems like it came straight out of a movie took place at the 300-400 block of Laurel Street and Magnolia Avenue at 11.50 am. As per ABC7, the two were in an ongoing relationship but the victim got a temporary restraining order against the suspect, Hayward resident Jose Rafael Solano Landaeta. According to San Francisco Chronicle, Landaeta appeared in the San Mateo County Superior Court on Monday, September 12, with lawyer Robert Cummings. Cummings raised concern about whether the defendant was competent to stand trial. In response to this, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said, "It is better to get this taken care of now than to do it in two years when we're about ready to start a trial. If he's found not competent to stand trial that causes the criminal proceedings to be held until he is restored to competency – if ever."
Lieutenant Eamon Allen, during a press conference, said, "They arrived within minutes and found an obviously deceased female in the street in that area. They began to work the scene and shortly then after, the male suspect arrived back at the scene and was quickly detained by sheriff's deputies. He was later placed under arrest for homicide. We can confirm that a stabbing instrument was used in the commission of the crime. That weapon is still outstanding." Landaeta is charged with one felony count of murder, with two enhancements: use of a deadly weapon, and great bodily injury.