A California mother-of-two has been found dead after mysteriously disappearing last week, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The body of Rachel Castillo, 25, was found in a remote location in Antelope Valley north of Los Angeles and northeast of her Simi Valley home.
Castillo was reported missing Thursday after her sister Emily returned home to the apartment they shared and found her covered in blood.
The mother was last seen dropping off her children, five and two, at the home of her ex-husband and father, 25-year-old Zarbab Ali.
Authorities said Ali was arrested on Sunday and named as the prime suspect in the murder. On Saturday he asked for information about Rachel’s disappearance on his Facebook page.
Officials have not released any further details in the ongoing case.
Rachel worked at a non-profit organization that provides social services and counseling to victims of domestic violence.
The body of Rachel Castillo, 25, was found in a remote location in Antelope Valley north of Los Angeles and northeast of her Simi Valley home
Rachel Castillo’s ex-husband, 25-year-old Zarbab Ali, was arrested on Sunday and named as the prime suspect in her murder
Rachel’s sister Emily said she first knew something was wrong when she entered her home last Thursday night.
“As soon as I saw the blood, I knew something was wrong,” Emily told ABC. “So I called my mom to let her know to come over and then I called 911 right away.”
Police officers said there was a “significant amount of blood” in the home and signs of a struggle.
Rachel’s phone, keys, and car were also all in the apartment when Emily got home.
Rachel Castillo and her ex-husband Zarbab Ali with their two children, aged five and two
A missing persons posting for Rachel Castillo circulated after she went missing Thursday night
Rachel Castillo and Zarbab Ali, both 25 years old. Ali is the prime suspect in the Castillo murder
Emily said she began searching for her sister even before police arrived at the scene.
“I was running around the house trying to see if I could find them anywhere,” she said. “I checked her bathroom, under her bed, her closet, my closet, the laundry room, my bathroom and my bedroom, but she wasn’t in anywhere.”
Over the weekend, authorities began expanding their search for Rachel, and her parents went to Good Morning America to request information leading to her return.
“Anything that can help my daughter is better to do the right thing,” Rachel’s father tearfully told Good Morning America. “It’s best to do the right thing and take a step forward. We’re just asking if you did something wrong, step up and say it.”
Rachel’s father broke down in tears while pleading for information leading to his daughter on Good Morning American
Rachel’s sister Emily came home to the apartment they shared to find it covered in blood Thursday night
The neighborhood in California’s Simi Valley where Rachel has disappeared since Thursday
As of Sunday, police officers had announced no crime related to the disappearance but eventually determined the death to be a homicide after Rachel’s body was discovered.
It remains unclear whether evidence has been found implicating Ali in the murder. Police previously said he was cooperating with the investigation.
The day before his arrest, Ali took to Facebook to post about Rachel’s disappearance and asked the public to call in for any information they might have.
“If anyone knows anything, please call the Simi Valley Police Department at (805) 583-6950! She’s been missing since Thursday!’ he wrote.
During the search, her family had ruled him out as a suspect, saying he would never do anything to hurt her, according to ABC.
By Sunday night, Rachel’s congregation had gathered to hold a vigil and prayers for her safe return, unaware that her body had already been found.
“We miss you, we love you, just need you to know we want to come home and you are so loved and when you can hear this message you know we surround you with love,” was a prayer, according to CBS .