Dominican Republic: Zeneida Castillo's family asks for an investigation into the possible involvement of a fifth person in the crime

The authorities are investigating the homicide of Zeneida Socorro Castillo and the assault on artist Gilberto Julián Sarante Perdomo. / (El Día) The Permanent Attention Court of Santo Domingo Este imposed 18 months of preventive detention on those accused of causing the death of Zeneida Socorro Castillo and wounding her husband, the artist Julián Oro Duro, during an assault at their home. The measure, decided on September 30, 2026, orders the defendants to remain at the Las Parras Correction and Rehabilitation Center. The National Police reported that it recovered belongings of the couple and USD 33,690 along with RD$ 196,500 (USD 3,510.18) in cash that had been stolen. Among the seized items are two watches, one Rolex and one Cardo; two chains, a medal, a guillo, a woman's brooch, a Louis Vuitton bag, a key to a Toyota vehicle, and a pair of glasses. The detainees are Kevin Dariel Germán Troncoso, known as Yandel; Lawrence Mark Liranzo Marcos, alias Chiquito; Juan Carlos Hernández García, known as Juan Carlos Peña; and Phillips Michael Tejada Vásquez. Lawrence, 18 years old, was identified by investigators as the last person arrested in connection with the case. Kevin Dariel Germán Troncoso had USD 3,750 and RD$ 88,000 (USD 1,571.99) seized from him. Juan Carlos Hernández García had USD 240 and RD$ 30,500 (USD 544.84) confiscated: RD$ 2,000 (USD 35.73) during his arrest and another RD$ 28,500 in a search. Kevin Germán Troncoso turned himself in at a Los Mina police station after being identified by the National Police of the Dominican Republic. / (Roberto Cavada) Phillips Michael Tejada Vásquez had USD 9,800, while Lawrence Mark Liranzo Marcos was found with USD 19,900, RD$ 78,000, and several of the recovered items. The investigation seeks to establish the sequence of events, the motive for the attack, and the degree of responsibility corresponding to each defendant. The relatives of Zeneida Socorro Castillo requested the opening of a new line of investigation to determine whether there was a fifth person involved in the crime. The request was submitted after the hearing at which the coercive measure was imposed on the defendants. Plutarco Jáquez, spokesman and lawyer for the family, argued that the new inquiry seeks to fully clarify the case and delimit responsibilities. "With this new line of investigation requested by the family, it is already in agreement with what has been said; it will be determined whether there is a possible fifth person in this process," he declared. Jáquez avoided pointing to any particular person when asked about other possible participants. The request adds to the proceedings being carried out by the National Police and the Public Prosecutor's Office. Diego Pesqueira, spokesman for the National Police, indicated that at least two of those under investigation had a close relationship with Julián Oro Duro and Castillo. According to the investigative line presented by the security force, the woman offered them food and drinks before the attack. The assault, which took place at the Brisa Oriental VI residence, caused the death of Zeneida Socorro Castillo, the artist's wife. / (National Police of the Dominican Republic) The spokesman described that moment before the attack: "Upon entering the home, the now deceased herself prepared food, juices, and even coffee for these people, who later became her executioners." That version must be contrasted during the judicial process. The National Police anticipated that it will release further details about the progress of the investigations and the procedural status of the detainees. For the first detainees, the maximum period of detention before being brought before a judge or released is 48 hours in the Dominican Republic.