3 arrested in connection with Ga. woman’s disappearance and death in 'cold case breakthrough'

COBB COUNTY, Ga. (TCD) -- Police arrested two women and a man for their alleged roles in the disappearance and death of a 42-year-old woman who went missing in 2019.

Matilde Gonzalez was last seen Oct. 11, 2019, in Cobb County and was soon reported as missing after her family failed to hear from her. The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said at the time there were "some suspicious circumstances related to her disappearance," though investigators were not "able to uncover much information in order to locate her whereabouts."

According to the Cobb County Police Department, "Foul play was suspected from the outset," so the department’s Cold Case Unit took over the investigation. On Sept. 8, Cobb County Police made a "significant breakthrough" in the case and executed a search warrant at a home on the 200 block of Indian Trail Drive.

Cobb County Police announced they arrested 41-year-old Alejandra Castro for malice murder, concealing a death, and cruelty to children, 20-year-old Samantha Vasquez for malice murder, and 35-year-old Abel Castro for concealing a death and cruelty to children.

WSB-TV reports detectives suspect Gonzalez was killed at a home on Sharon Drive during an altercation, then Abel Castro and Alejandra Castro allegedly moved her body to another location. According to WSB, after Gonzalez was killed, Alejandra Castro allegedly told Gonzalez’s son that "his mother had abandoned him to be with another man."

Gonzalez’s body still has not been found.

MORE:

• Cold Case Missing Person, 8/12/2020 - Paulding County Sheriff's Office
• Cold Case Breakthrough: Three Arrested in Matilde Gonzalez Disappearance Investigation - Cobb County Police Department
• Police: 3 accused in Gwinnett mother’s murder tricked her child into thinking she was still alive - WSB