Current:Home > MarketsIndexbit-Man faces fatal kidnapping charges in 2016 disappearance of woman and daughter in Florida -Capitatum
Indexbit-Man faces fatal kidnapping charges in 2016 disappearance of woman and daughter in Florida
EchoSense View
Date:2025-04-06 01:23:37
A Florida man could Indexbitbe sentenced to life in prison or death if convicted in the disappearance of his daughter and her mother who were last seen in May 2016.
Gustavo Alfonso Castano Restrepo, 55, has been charged with kidnapping resulting in death, the United States Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida announced in a press release Oct. 29.
The victims, Liliana Moreno and her mother, Daniella Moreno, were 8 and 42 years old when they went missing on May 30, 2016. They were last seen near a Home Depot located in Hialeah Gardens, about 25 miles northwest of Miami, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Restrepo is accused of kidnapping 8-year-old Liliana, and "the kidnapping resulted in the deaths of Liliana Moreno and Daniella Moreno."
A lawyer representing Restrepo was not able to comment on the case Monday afternoon. The defendant has an arraignment, a pretrial detention hearing and a counsel hearing set for Wednesday morning.
Investigation led authorities to a warehouse
In addition to the FBI, the Miami-Dade Police Department Homicide Bureau and the Doral Police Department asked for help finding the mother and daughter when they went missing.
Family members told the Miami Herald back in 2016 that Restrepo was married to another woman when his daughter was born. He and Danielle met through work.
Moreno’s sister in Colombia contacted authorities and said she hadn't heard from her, reported the Miami Herald. Investigators looked into her disappearance and inside her apartment, they found her purse and wallet. Her car was also at the home and the front door was locked, the newspaper reported. Investigators also learned that the girl had not been attending school.
Authorities searched for the mother and daughter to no avail, the Herald reported. Restrepo was noted as a person of interest and days after the pair disappeared, officers found him in his truck in a Home Depot parking lot. He was trying to drink a toxic substance and stabbed himself in the neck.
While trying to take him into custody, an officer used a taser, which hit him in the eye, partially blinding him.
Authorities also announced in June 2016 that the investigation led them to a warehouse in Medley, about 15 minutes from Doral.
If Restrepo is convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in prison and a maximum sentence of death, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Authorities ask that anyone with information about the case contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or file a report at www.tips.fbi.gov/home.
This story has been updated to fix a reference to the United States Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].
veryGood! (27851)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- UK PM Sunak warns against rush to regulate AI before understanding its risks
- The last Beatles song, 'Now and Then,' finally arrives after more than 40 years
- At least 16 dead after gunman opens fire at bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine: Live updates
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Many in Niger are suffering under coup-related sanctions. Junta backers call it a worthy sacrifice
- Toyota recalls 751,000 Highlanders in the US to make sure bumper covers and hardware can’t fall off
- Maine shooting suspect was 'behaving erratically' during summer: Defense official
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Biden will not appear on the primary ballot in New Hampshire. Here's why.
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Cameron Diaz Has the Perfect Pitch for Best Dad Ever Benji Madden's Next Album
- Ohio woman indicted on murder charges in deaths of at least four men, attorney general says
- The U.S. economy posted stunning growth in the third quarter — but it may not last
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Scientists discover hidden landscape frozen in time under Antarctic ice for millions of years
- Sam Bankman-Fried will testify in his defense in what may be the gamble of his life
- The National Museum of Women in the Arts relaunches
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Swedish court acquits Russian-born businessman of spying for Moscow
Sister Wives' Meri Brown Reveals the Heartless Way Kody Told Her Their Marriage Was Over
Millions of American families struggle to get food on the table, report finds
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Averted disaster on Horizon Air flight renews scrutiny on mental health of those in the cockpit
Professor who never showed up for class believed to be in danger: Police
Allison Holker and Stephen tWitch Boss' Daughter Weslie Looks All Grown Up for Homecoming Dance