On September 3, 2024, Arapahoe County District Judge David Karpel sentenced Joseph Castorena, 23, to four consecutive life sentences plus 24 years for a quadruple homicide case.
The night before Halloween in 2022, a woman called Aurora police to report that her ex-boyfriend, Joseph, may be hiding inside her home and should not be there. About a week prior, a restraining order was issued against Joseph.
While the ex-girlfriend was on the phone with dispatchers, multiple gunshots were fired. When officers arrived on-scene, they found four people deceased from gunshot wounds. The ex-girlfriend and her two young children were not physically hurt.
The victims were identified as:
Maria Anita Serrano
Jesus Serrano
Kenneth Luque
Rudolfo Perez
Three of the four victims were relatives of Castorena’s ex-girlfriend. The fourth victim rented an RV on the property and was killed when he came outside during the shooting.
“This coward executed an entire family and innocent tenant,” Senior Chief Deputy DA Darcy Kofol said. “This defendant couldn’t accept the fact that his ex-girlfriend wanted to move on with her life. Instead, he decided to viciously murder everyone she loved.”
The criminal investigation revealed Castorena broke into his ex’s home in the 900 block of Geneva Street and waited inside with a gun until the family returned home. Upon entering her house, the ex-noticed Joseph’s keys in her bedroom and that’s when she called the police.
Following the shooting, Castorena fled the country before he was captured in December 2024 and then extradited back to Colorado.
In May, a jury found Castorena guilty of the following offenses:
First-Degree Murder after Deliberation (4 counts)
Attempted First-Degree Murder after Deliberation
At Tuesday’s hearing, Kofol requested the maximum sentences possible.
“I requested four consecutive life sentences for the brutal murders of Maria, Kenneth, Jesus, and Rudolfo, along with an additional 48 years to be served consecutively for the Attempted Murder of his ex-girlfriend,” Kofol said.
Castorena’s legal counsel believed the consecutive life sentences were not warranted, but Judge Karpel disagreed and ordered all sentences be served consecutively.
“These victims’ families have eagerly waited for justice for nearly two years,” Kofol said. “While no amount of prison time can repair the pain and grief that this defendant caused, I hope this sentence brings peace and closure to the victims’ friends and family knowing he can never hurt anyone else again.”
Under Colorado law, each first-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence with no possibility of parole.
“This defendant committed a series of heinous crimes and then tried to avoid facing accountability by fleeing to Mexico,” Deputy District Attorney Lauren Raible said. “The Aurora Police Department deserves tremendous credit in helping us track him down and bring him to justice.”
Castorena’s trial lasted a total of 9 days before a jury reached its verdict.
“I’m confident our streets are safer with this defendant behind bars,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “My team spent countless hours working on this case to achieve the highest convictions and penalties possible under the law.”
Joseph Castorena
