San Diego County Sheriff's Department: UPDATE: Homicide Investigation - Campo

Press release from San Diego County Sheriff's Department:

08/13/2021 2:52 PM

LOCATION:       Near Shockey Truck Trail and SR-94, Campo

DECEASED:        Paul Anthony Castello, 32-years-old

SUSPECTS:         Lowella Ankerpont, 45-years-old

                             Petra Campos, 42-years-old  

Homicide detectives continued their investigation into the January murder of Paul Castello. Detectives identified forty-five-year-old Lowella Ankerpont as the suspect in the murder of Castello. Detectives identified another woman, forty-two-year-old Petra Campos, who is suspected of assisting Ankerpont after the murder.

On August 12, 2021, Ankerpont was arrested for one count of 187(a) PC – Murder. Campos was arrested for 32 PC – Accessory to Murder. Unrelated to the murder itself, Campos was additionally arrested for six counts of 273a(a) PC – Felony Child Endangerment. Both were booked into Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility. Ankerpont and Campos are residents of Campo. 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Information from second release

On January 7, 2021, the Medical Examiner's Office conducted the autopsy and has identified the victim as thirty-two-year-old Paul Anthony Castello. Castello is a resident of Campo. The victim's family has been notified of his death. The preliminary cause of death is being withheld for investigative reasons. The manner of death is homicide.

Information from first release:

On January 6, 2021, just after 8:00 a.m., United States Border Patrol agents found the body of an adult male near Shockey Truck Trail and State Route 94 in Campo. Sheriff's deputies and fire personnel responded. Unfortunately, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene by fire personnel.

Based on the injuries and circumstances, the Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and has assumed responsibility of the investigation.

The identity of the male is known to investigators; however, his name is being withheld pending family notification.

Prepared by:  Thomas Seiver, Lieutenant

Sheriff's Homicide Unit   (858) 285- 6330

This press release was produced by San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.