Update: Casias in custody, charged in murder of Slaton man
Update (Aug. 19 at 6:10): Officials with the Lubbock Police Department report Heather Casias, 32, has been arrested and charged in connection to the murder of 79-year-old Celestino Rodriguez.
She was taken into custody just before 5:30 p.m. at the Red Roof Inn.
So far, police have identified seven who are thought to be involved in the case: Brett Garza, David Hampton, Casias, Amanda Blagburn, Toby Daughtry, James Andrew Anderson and Freddie Salinas.
After the recent arrests, all seven have been arrested in connection with the case.
Earlier Monday afternoon, Freddie Salinas was arrested, according to Abernathy Police. He was arrested in the 1000 block of 13th Street in Abernathy and has been taken to the Hale County Detention Center.
Earlier, two additional arrest warrants were issued in connection to the murder of Celestino Rodriguez.
James Andrew Anderson, 26, who was already in custody in the Hale County Jail, was served with a second degree felony arrest warrant for tampering with evidence (a corpse).
Freddie Salinas, 39, was also wanted for a second degree felony, tampering with evidence (a corpse).
Both are now in custody.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Heather Casias is urged to call Crime Line at 806-741-1000 or Detective Dwayne Gerber at 806-777-0396.
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ORIGINAL STORY
The Lubbock Police Department announced Saturday (Aug. 17) they have issued murder warrants for three people for their involvement in the murder of Celestino Rodriguez, 79, of Slaton.
They have also announced another suspect is wanted in connection to the case.
Heather Casias, 32, is also wanted on a murder charge in connection to Rodriguez’ death. She is a Hispanic female, 5-feet tall, 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
The LPD reported in a press release the murder warrants were obtained for Casias as well as Brett Garza, 33 and David Wayne Hampton, 53.
Hampton and Garza have been served the warrants. They were originally arrested on charges of felony credit/debit card abuse.
Hampton was taken into custody Thursday afternoon (Aug. 15).
Garza was arrested Wednesday night (Aug. 14).
Also taken into custody Wednesday were Amanda Blagburn, 33 and Toby Daughtry, 39.
Daughtry and Blagburn were arrested on charges of unauthorized use of Rodriguez’ vehicle.
Rodriguez was found in a field near County Road 315 and County Road K, northwest of Abernathy at approximately 10:45 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 15), according to a press release by the LPD.
They reported the investigation lead them to Hale County, where they found a body.
Rodriguez’ body was transported to South Plains Forensic Pathology where an autopsy was performed, confirming Rodriguez’ identity.
He was originally reported as missing Aug. 3, and a Silver Alert was issued Aug. 5.
A GoFundMe account has been set to help the Rodriguez family. It can be reached at https://www.gofundme.com/f/nk35u-care-for-the-family-of-celestino-rodriguez?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_co_campmgmt_w&fbclid=IwAR0WJfu0VwCcvUqvH3jJGsoitZVMh5Z6AfOFSqyR5NvEuR9VFZnNS112Vvw
