A Hawthorne man has been found guilty of killing his estranged wife in a 2022 stabbing that shocked Simi Valley.
Here’s the breakdown
Read this especially if you follow high profile criminal cases, domestic violence prosecutions, or Ventura County court developments.
WHAT HAPPENED
A Ventura County jury has convicted 28 year old Zarbab Ali of first degree murder for the killing of his estranged wife, 25 year old Rachel Castillo. The case began in November 2022 when Castillo was reported missing after her sister discovered a violent crime scene inside their shared apartment. Her belongings were left behind, raising immediate alarm.
Three days later, Simi Valley police found Castillo’s body in a remote desert area near Littlerock. Investigators quickly identified Ali as the suspect.
How the Murder Occurred
According to testimony and Ali’s own recorded confession:
Ali picked up his two young sons from Castillo’s apartment and drove them to his parents home in Victorville
He then returned to the apartment alone and waited inside with the lights off
When Castillo emerged from her bedroom, he pushed her to the ground and stabbed her multiple times
He wrapped her body in a blanket, attempted to clean the scene, and placed her in his car trunk
He drove to the Antelope Valley, dug a shallow grave, and buried her
Hours later, he returned to the site, dug up her body, and sexually violated her post mortem
Investigators later used surveillance video, phone location data, blood evidence, and forensic DNA to tie him directly to the crime
Inside the Trial
The trial began on November 6, 2025. Ali initially pleaded not guilty, but he eventually admitted under oath that he stabbed Castillo. His defense attorney argued that jealousy and emotional instability drove him to kill her, pointing to Ali’s belief that Castillo was involved with another man.
Ali told the court:
“This is the only way I could escape.”
“I wanted her dead. I was angry that she would not let me move on.”
Prosecutors countered that the murder was deliberate, premeditated, and planned weeks in advance. They presented evidence showing Ali bought the shovel used to bury her and had been thinking about killing her for months.
The jury found him guilty of:
First degree murder
Special circumstance of lying in wait
Use of a knife
Previously, he pleaded guilty to mutilation and sexual contact with human remains
Ali now faces life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2026.
Impact on the Family
Rachel Castillo’s father, Chris, delivered an emotional statement after the verdict, saying he was grateful justice was done and hoped his daughter’s memory would be honored.
District Attorney David Russell said the conviction ensures Ali will never harm another person again.
Why This Matters
This case highlights the deadly escalation that can occur in domestic violence situations
It underscores how digital evidence, forensic DNA, and behavioral analysis can solidify murder prosecutions
It reinforces Ventura County’s strong record of pursuing justice in intimate partner homicide cases
The brutality of the crime and Ali’s own admissions have made this one of the county’s most disturbing cases in years
The Bottom Line
After three years of investigation, testimony, and forensic work, a jury has convicted Zarbab Ali of murdering his estranged wife. He awaits sentencing that is expected to keep him behind bars for life.