A depraved murderer has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing his estranged spouse and desecrating her body. Zarbab Ali, 29, will spend the remainder of his life behind bars following the tragic death of Rachael Castillo, 25, with whom he shared two children. Castillo had initiated divorce proceedings, which were nearing finalization when Ali launched a brutal attack on her at her sister’s residence where she and her sons were residing.
Ali, after dropping off the children at his parents’ house, returned to the apartment where Castillo was alone. He entered the unlocked door, turned off the lights, and ambushed her in a dark hallway, stabbing her multiple times. Subsequently, he wrapped her body in a blanket, attempted to clean the scene, and then transported her in his car to Littlerock, California. There, he buried her in a shallow grave using a newly purchased shovel before returning home.
When Castillo’s sister returned and found evidence of the violent crime, authorities were alerted. Despite her disappearance, her personal belongings were left behind. Law enforcement discovered bloody items in a nearby dumpster and received reports of Ali’s presence at the complex. Ali, in a calculated move, drove back to the burial site during the night, exhumed Castillo’s body, and committed further despicable acts before reburial.
The victim’s remains were eventually found in a remote desert location on November 13, 2022, leading to Ali’s swift arrest. He confessed to his heinous actions during police interrogation. Ali pleaded guilty to various charges, including unlawful acts involving human remains, and was convicted of murder. At the sentencing, Castillo’s family spoke eloquently about her life and aspirations, emphasizing her role as a loving mother, sister, daughter, and friend. They condemned Ali’s cowardly actions and lamented the irrevocable impact on the innocent children left behind.
