A dual U.S.-Salvadoran citizen has been extradited from California to El Salvador after charges of aggravated femicide and imperfect homicide were brought against him by Salvadoran authorities. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed this development on Thursday.
Michael Alejandro Castillo Murga, aged 27 and residing in Beaumont, California, was transferred to Salvadoran officials on Wednesday. This represents the first occasion the U.S. has extradited an American citizen to El Salvador for prosecution, as shared by the DOJ. Castillo Murga is recognized as a dual citizen of the U.S. and El Salvador.
Castillo Murga is accused of the murder of Melvi Fernanda Nájera Quezada, the mother of his child, in January 2019.
Salvadoran authorities claim Castillo Murga collected Nájera Quezada, aged 23, along with their son to begin a family life. However, investigators argue he proceeded to commit murder rather than start anew. The child’s discovery by a highway the next day marked the beginning of the investigation. An autopsy showed Nájera Quezada died due to severe neck and other injuries caused by a plastic knife.
Evidence was gathered linking Castillo Murga to the crime through cellphone data and witness testimonies. Authorities noted a photograph sent by Castillo Murga to his girlfriend displayed bloodstains on his face and neck.
Additionally, Castillo Murga’s grandmother and lawyer stand accused of attempting to cover up the crime. They reportedly organized for two individuals to cleanse Castillo Murga’s car of blood with various substances, though not all traces could be eliminated.
Castillo Murga fled initially to Guatemala with the help of his grandmother and lawyer before making his way back to the U.S., based on prosecutor statements.
The U.S. Marshals Service for the Central District of California helped with the case by managing transports and transferring Castillo Murga into the custody of Salvadoran authorities.
In October 2024, the U.S. Marshals apprehended Castillo Murga following an extradition request from El Salvador. He attempted to resist extradition in federal court, yet his petition was denied in November 2025. A final appeal to prevent extradition was dismissed in September 2026. Subsequently, the secretary of state approved his transfer, enabling U.S. Marshals to deliver him to Salvadoran jurisdiction to face legal proceedings.