A Hawthorne man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a judge handed down the maximum possible sentence for the 2022 killing of Rachael Castillo. On Monday, January 12, Zarbab Ali was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The sentencing follows his conviction in November 2025 for first degree murder, a case that horrified the Simi Valley community with its details of premeditated violence and desecration.
A Premeditated Attack and a Shallow Grave
The murder took place on November 10, 2022, inside the Simi Valley apartment that Rachael shared with her sister. Prosecutors detailed how Ali dropped off the couple’s two young sons at his parents’ home in Victorville before driving to the apartment. Knowing Rachael would be alone, he entered the home, turned off the lights, and waited in the darkness. When Rachael stepped into the hallway, Ali ambushed her, stabbing her 11 times in the neck and chest.
Following the attack, Ali attempted to clean the crime scene and wrapped Rachael’s body in a blanket. He then drove to a remote area in Littlerock where he buried her in a shallow grave. In a particularly disturbing detail, Ali admitted to a felony charge of sexual contact with her remains after returning to the burial site later that night. The investigation began when Rachael’s sister returned home to find blood and signs of a violent struggle, though Rachael’s phone, keys, and car were still at the residence.
Family Remembers a Devoted Mother
During the emotional sentencing hearing, Rachael’s family provided victim impact statements that described her as a devoted mother and a loving sister who was pursuing a Master’s degree at Pepperdine University. They spoke of her dreams for her sons and the void her death has left in their lives. One family member addressed Ali directly, calling him a coward who turned to violence because he could not handle the finality of their divorce.
Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell, who prosecuted the case, stated that Ali’s lack of remorse and the sheer brutality of his actions placed him among the very worst offenders the court has ever seen. The judge agreed, noting that the special circumstance of lying in wait mandated the life sentence without parole. With the legal proceedings concluded, Rachael’s family expressed hope that the finality of the sentence would allow them to focus on honoring her memory and raising her two young boys.