Police Chief J.D. McClure
Appearances
Murder In America
EP. 191: GEORGIA - The Child In The Trash Bag: The Disturbing Murder of Amari Hall
We compared statements that we had gotten from Brittany Hall and also her partner, Celeste Owen. We compared those statements with evidence that we gathered and recognized that those statements were indeed false. At that point, our investigation transitioned from a missing person case to indeed a homicide case. I'm deeply sad to report to you that at 1045 this morning,
Murder In America
EP. 191: GEORGIA - The Child In The Trash Bag: The Disturbing Murder of Amari Hall
the body of Amari Hall was discovered in the area of Stone Mile Trace, correction, Stone Mill Trace in DeKalb County near the Stone Mountain Freeway. Within the next several hours, we will charge Celeste Owen with felony murder in connection with the death of Amari Hall. Additionally, Brittany Hall, will be charged with concealing the death of another.
Murder In America
EP. 191: GEORGIA - The Child In The Trash Bag: The Disturbing Murder of Amari Hall
We will continue to also investigate her role in this murder. My heart goes out to the extended family of Omari Hall, We worked diligently on this case. The investigators from our uniformed patrol officers who went out and searched the area, we worked extremely hard and unfortunately these were not the results that we had hoped for.
Murder In America
EP. 191: GEORGIA - The Child In The Trash Bag: The Disturbing Murder of Amari Hall
But that being said, we are happy to bring these individuals to justice. And I'd like, once again, to thank the officers here. I'd also like to thank the residents at the hometown studios who were very helpful in our investigation as we searched door to door for Amari.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
There were deceased adults in the home. two very young children and one adult female who were unharmed. The adult female is the domestic partner of our suspect. Earlier this week, a restraining order had been issued directing the suspect not to go to the residence or approach or come near the domestic partner. We began investigating.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
We identified the suspect and began searching the neighborhood in the dark. At one point, we went to a nearby other residence, which we believe to be the residence of the suspect. We spent several hours there with consent. We eventually searched that home and did not find him at that location. Shortly after this incident began, we issued a reverse 911 call
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
to residents within a one mile radius, asking them to shelter in place. We located what we believe is the suspect's car nearby. That has since been towed and will be subject of a search warrant. Victim advocates are supporting the survivors and they are in a safe place. We did a search at night and we have just begun a daylight search of the neighborhood.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
We even had drones up in the air at first light and we're now doing a thorough search of the immediate neighborhood because we are concerned and want to find the subject. His name is Joseph Mario Castorena, date of birth 5-24-01. He's 21 years old. We have to assume he is armed. And we are very concerned and want to do everything we can to find him and take him into custody as soon as possible.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
His photo has been released on APD social media. If you look at it closely, you will see that he has a very distinctive lion tattoo on the left side of his neck. We're obviously requesting the public's assistance and the media's assistance to find him. If anyone sees him, or has any information about his whereabouts, we ask that 911 be called immediately.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
And with that, I'm happy to take any questions.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
We're going to search the immediate neighborhood. When that is completed, we will send out an all clear to the same parties who received the reverse 911. I think this search will take another half hour to an hour to complete, but we're going to search the immediate area.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
I can't speculate on where he might be, but the sensible thing for anyone who knows the police is looking for him would be to leave the area.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
but we're going to be as thorough as we can with the search and do the best we can to reassure the community have a presence here we're going to be here for the crime scene for quite some time all of the deceased are still at the crime scene so we'll be here for quite some time and i think that should have some reassurance to the community along with the search that we're doing chief question the picture that you released on twitter was from a previous arrest it seems like less than 30 days ago can you shed light into some of those other charges
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
He has a history involving domestic violence, and I don't have all the details. I'd rather not go into that, but this was an accumulation of events here that led to this. So, yes.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
Well, the children of the suspect and his domestic partner are not even in state. They are elsewhere with family and safe.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
I can't. I don't have an explanation for that at this time.
Murder In America
EP. 197: COLORADO - The Mass Shooter Who Fled To Mexico
This was an accumulation of events here that led to this. So yes, yeah.