ROMEO (WWJ) - A northern Macomb County man has been ordered held without bond, charged with murder in the beating death of his mother.
Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said 42-year-old Christopher Castillo lived with this 63-year-old mom in her mobile home on Creekview Ave., in the area of Van Dyke and 33 Mile Road, in Bruce Township.
The two were drinking heavily last Thursday night, Smith said, and the two got into an argument. It's alleged that the fight turned physical, and Castillo began violently beating his mother with a bat, ultimately killing her.
The altercation appears to have taken place in multiple rooms of the home, according to investigators; and at some point the bat was broken and concealed. When the authorities arrived on the scene, they found Castillo bloody, huddled over his mother's body, and he was arrested.
Smith said an autopsy concluded the cause of death was blunt force trauma to head and torso; the victim having suffered injuries to the brain, nine broken ribs and "a tremendous amount" of internal damage.
"Domestic violence is such a terrible problem in our society that my office tackles every day," Smith said, in a statement. "However, to see such aggression result in a vicious and brutal murder on one's own mother is a devastating reality of what can happen."
Castillo was arraigned Thursday in 42-1 District Court in Romeo on a charge of second degree murder. Bond was denied, and the defendant was remanded to jail where he will await a probable cause conference at for April 30.
He faces possible life in prison if convicted as charged,
"Our hearts go out to the remaining family and friends of the victim," Smith said, "If you know someone involved in a relationship, whether it be boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, parent/child, I cannot stress how important it is to assist that person in reaching out for help."
Anyone involved in a domestic violence situation, or who has concerned about a loved one who may be, can call Turning Point's Crisis Line is 586-463-6990.
