By Khalida Sarwari
The husband of a woman whose body was found in east San Jose two months ago has been arrested in connection with her death, police announced today.
Detectives arrested Marcus Casillas, 23, in connection with the murder of his wife, Valerie Calderon Casillas, 29, who was found shot to death on the afternoon of Oct. 5 by a road worker in a remote area near Sierra Road and Skyview Drive.
Police said the motive for her death appears to be domestic violence-related.
Investigators identified Marcus Casillas, who has been in custody for a probation violation since Oct. 3., as the prime suspect following multiple interviews and an examination of evidence, police said.
One such piece of evidence is the gun that was used to murder Valerie Casillas. Police said ballistic tests revealed that the weapon was the same semiautomatic pistol allegedly brandished by Valente Galindo at Officer Lee Tassio in the 2100 block of Inman Way on Dec. 15, police said.
In that incident, Tassio shot and killed Galindo after Galindo allegedly pointed the gun at him. Police said Tassio fired in self-defense.
Valerie Casillas was initially reported missing on the evening of Oct. 2, police said. She was last seen entering either a silver Pontiac Grand Prix or a blue Chevrolet Tahoe SUV around 3 a.m. that day near Waverly Avenue and Orlando Drive.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Stewart Davies or Detective Jaime Jimenez at (408) 277-5283. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP (7867) or visit www.svcrimestoppers.org.
