A teenager accused of the murder of a Texas Southern University student has been extradited back to Houston after nearly two decades on the run.
Luis Uriel Castillo, now 39 years old, is facing a murder charge resulting from the death of Cornelius Ray, a 24-year-old student who was discovered dead in his southeast Houston apartment with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office announced the extradition this week, stating that Castillo was arrested in Mexico in April 2024.
This arrest was made possible through cooperation with Mexican authorities and assistance from the FBI.
While Castillo awaited the processing of the extradition request, he remained in custody, ultimately being transported back to Houston on Wednesday.
District Attorney Sean Teare emphasized the importance of this extradition, stating, “The successful extradition of Castillo to Houston is a victory for the rule of law and a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to justice.”
He added that the case serves as a warning to those who commit serious crimes in Harris County that they will be pursued and brought to justice, no matter how far they flee.
Castillo was indicted on murder charges in 2020 by a grand jury in Harris County, following a lengthy investigation.
Initially charged with capital murder in connection with Ray’s death in 2005, that charge was dismissed last week in favor of a murder charge deemed more appropriate by prosecutors based on the evidence.
Court documents detail how Castillo and Ray met through an internet chat room and later went to Ray’s apartment at 8501 Broadway St. in Houston.
Witness accounts suggest that Castillo had been using recreational drugs prior to the incident and allegedly shot Ray in the back of the head while he was sitting on his bed.
Following the incident, Ray was discovered deceased by employees of the apartment complex.
Investigators found the apartment in disarray, alongside indications that personal belongings, including Ray’s vehicle and cell phone, had been taken.
The District Attorney’s Office alleges that following the murder, Castillo fled to Matamoros, Mexico.
At the time of his death, Ray was a student at Texas Southern University, located in Houston’s Third Ward.
Teare reiterated the commitment to seek justice for Ray’s family, stating, “It’s time the Ray family gets justice. We look forward to trying this case in court.”
Castillo is currently being held at the Harris County Jail on a $1 million bond.
As of Thursday, there were no other defense attorneys listed for Castillo in online court records, and the public defender assigned to represent him has not responded to requests for comment regarding the bail hearing.
This case underscores the long-lasting implications of violent crime and the tenacity of law enforcement in seeking justice, even years after the fact.
image source from：houstonpublicmedia
