US Extradites Dual Citizen to El Salvador Over Killing of His Son's Mother — First Surrender of an American Citizen to That Country

Michael Alejandro Castillo Murga, 27, a dual citizen from California, has been extradited to El Salvador, the Department of Justice announced Thursday. He faces charges of aggravated femicide and imperfect homicide in a 2019 killing.

Castillo Murga, of Beaumont, California, was handed over to Salvadoran authorities on Wednesday. He holds dual US and Salvadoran citizenship.

According to the DOJ, the extradition marks the first time the United States has surrendered an American citizen to face prosecution for crimes committed in El Salvador.

Salvadoran authorities allege that on January 31, 2019, Castillo Murga picked up Melvi Fernanda Nájera Quezada, 23, and their son from her mother's home, supposedly to begin living together as a family. Nájera Quezada was the mother of his son.

Investigators allege he instead killed Nájera Quezada and abandoned their child near her body, which was discovered near a highway the next day.

An autopsy determined she died from severe bleeding caused by cuts to her neck and other wounds inflicted with a plastic knife, according to the DOJ.

Farmworkers discovered the boy, who was younger than 2, several days later in a rugged area near where his mother's body was found. He was severely dehydrated and starving, with cuts on his face, insect bites and signs of abuse, authorities said.

Investigators linked Castillo Murga to the killing through cellphone location data and witness accounts. Authorities also said he sent his girlfriend a photograph showing bloodstains on his face and neck.

Prosecutors also accused Castillo Murga's grandmother and a lawyer of helping conceal evidence. According to the DOJ, the pair arranged for two people to clean blood from the interior and exterior of his vehicle using water, car shampoo and vinegar, but they were unable to remove all the blood.

Castillo Murga escaped to Guatemala around February 2, 2019, with assistance from his grandmother and lawyer, before eventually entering the United States, according to prosecutors.

US Marshals arrested him in October 2024 in response to an extradition request from El Salvador. He challenged his extradition in federal court, but a judge rejected his petition in November 2025 and denied a subsequent request to halt the transfer in September 2026.

The secretary of state ultimately authorized his surrender, and the US Marshals Service for the Central District of California assisted in the case and transported and transferred him into Salvadoran custody to face prosecution.