CASTROVILLE — A woman was killed Thursday night after being shot at a Merritt Street residence.
According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call for a verbal disturbance at a residence on the 10300 block of Merritt Street in Castroville around 7:09 p.m. While en route to the residence, the call was updated to a possible shot fired.
Upon arrival, deputies found the victim, Cynthia Medina, 37, of Castroville unconscious and without a pulse. Arriving deputies immediately began life-saving efforts and requested that fire and ambulance personnel enter the scene. Despite all life-saving efforts, Medina was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later, according to MCSO.
The investigation unveiled that the suspect in this case is Melissa Lillian Paniagua, 28, of Castroville, who has not been located as of 5 p.m. Friday.
Melissa Lillian Paniagua
Sylvia Navarro
Deputies are also looking to speak to Paniagua’s sister Sylvia Navarro, 35, of Castroville. Navarro is not a suspect in this case, but has information relating to the homicide, according to MCSO.
Paniagua is considered to be armed as the weapon used in this case has not been recovered. It is not believed that Paniagua is a danger to the general public, but the public is warned not to approach her.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Paniagua or Navarro is asked to call 911. If anyone has information about this case, they are asked to call the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and ask for Detective Rick Jorgensen or Detective Sergeant Bryan Hoskins at 755-3722.
