World · Latin America · 5 hrs ago
US citizen extradited to El Salvador to face charges in 2019 killing
Michael Alejandro Castillo Murga was extradited from the US to El Salvador to face charges over a 2019 killing.
Salvadoran authorities accuse the 27-year-old, who has dual US and Salvadoran citizenship, of killing Melvi Fernanda Nájera Quezada, the mother of his son.
Prosecutors allege he killed her and left their toddler near her body, which was found beside a highway the next day.
The case involves charges of aggravated femicide and imperfect homicide, which Castillo Murga will face in El Salvador.
The US Department of Justice says this is the first time the US has surrendered an American citizen to El Salvador for prosecution over crimes committed there.
US Marshals arrested him in 2024 after El Salvador requested his extradition; he challenged the transfer, but his petitions were rejected.
He is now in Salvadoran custody, where prosecution will proceed.
The United States extradited dual U.S.-Salvadoran citizen Michael Alejandro Castillo Murga to El Salvador to face charges in a 2019 killing.
Salvadoran authorities accuse him of killing Melvi Fernanda Nájera Quezada and abandoning their toddler son near her body.
He was transferred to Salvadoran custody on Wednesday after the U.S. secretary of state authorized his surrender.
The Department of Justice said this was the first time the United States had surrendered an American citizen for prosecution for crimes committed in El Salvador.
Castillo Murga challenged extradition, but a judge rejected his petition in November 2025 and denied a later request to halt the transfer in September 2026.
- Who
- Michael Alejandro Castillo Murga, a dual U.S.-Salvadoran citizen, was extradited; he is accused of killing Melvi Fernanda Nájera Quezada.
- What
- He was handed over to El Salvador to face charges of aggravated femicide and imperfect homicide in the 2019 killing.
- When
- He was transferred on Wednesday; the article was published October 29, 2026.
- Where
- He was transferred from U.S. custody to Salvadoran authorities. The alleged killing took place in El Salvador.
- Why
- El Salvador requested his extradition so he could face prosecution for the alleged killing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Authorities allege Castillo Murga picked up Nájera Quezada and their son from her mother's home.
Her body was discovered near a highway, according to the article's account that it was found the day after the alleged pickup.
Prosecutors say Castillo Murga fled to Guatemala with help from his grandmother and a lawyer.
U.S. Marshals arrested Castillo Murga in response to El Salvador's extradition request.
A judge rejected his challenge to extradition.
A judge denied his subsequent request to halt the transfer.
- Accused
- Michael Alejandro Castillo Murga, 27
- Citizenship
- Dual U.S.-Salvadoran
- Victim
- Melvi Fernanda Nájera Quezada, 23
- Charges
- Aggravated femicide and imperfect homicide
- Alleged killing
- 2019
- Transfer
- Extradited to Salvadoran custody on Wednesday