Police: 3 accused in Gwinnett mother’s murder tricked her child into thinking she was still alive

The Cobb County Police Department has announced the arrest of three people in the case of a missing woman last seen almost three years ago.

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An investigation began when Matilde Gonzalez, 42, of Powder Springs, was reported missing on Oct. 12, 2019.

According to investigators, she was last seen in Cobb Cobb County a day prior.

Detectives say there were some “suspicious circumstances” surrounding her disappearance, but they had not been able to uncover much information.

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On Thursday, authorities received a major breakthrough in the cold case investigation.

Cobb County Police along with other law enforcement agencies, conducted a search warrant at the 200 block of Indian Trail Drive in Paulding County.

The operation led to three people being arrested in connection to Gonzalez’s disappearance.

Alejandra Castro, 41, is charged with malice murder, concealing a death, and cruelty to children. Samantha Vasquez, 20, of Powder Springs, is charged with malice murder. Abel Castro, 45, is charged with concealing a death and cruelty to a child.

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Gonzalez’s body has not been found. The investigation is ongoing.

Channel 2′s Michael Seiden was in Gwinnett County Monday, where he learned the police believe Gonzalez was killed during a fight in 2019 at a home on Sharon Drive in Powder Springs. Police said Castro is accused of “murdering her and then telling (her child) that his mother had abandoned him to be with another man.”

Investigators allege Abel and Alejandra Castro disposed of Gonzalez’s body by moving it and hiding it. They believe the pair then used a Mexican phone number to contact Gonzalez’s child and had someone pose as his mother, making him believe she was still alive.

Police did not say how old the child was at the time.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cobb County Police Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-4111.

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