Man Arrested, Woman Wanted In Connection With Hopatcong Woman's Body Found On Rt. 22

HOPATCONG, NJ — Authorities arrested a Pennsylvania man and are still searching for a Ringwood woman wanted in connection with the body of Hopatcong's Ashley M. Castro found in the center median of Route 22 in Branchburg on April 5.

David DeSantos, 32, of Henryville, Pennsylvania was charged with second degree, disturbing human remains. Detectives are also actively searching for Nicole Barbour, 26, of Hillside Road, in Ringwood for the unlawful disturbing, moving and concealing of her body, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

A body was found on Wednesday, April 5 at around 1:22 p.m. in the center median of Route 22 near Route 28 in Branchburg.

• See Related: Body Found On Side Of Rt. 22 In Branchburg
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On April 7, authorities were able to identify the body as Castro. Following an investigation, DeSantos and Barbour were found to be responsible for unlawfully disturbing, moving and concealing the remains of Ashley M. Castro, according to Robertson.

Castro's mother, Margaret Castro-Saavedra, reportedly told NJ.com, "I knew this day would come sometime," referring to her daughter's death. Castro reportedly struggled with drug addition, including multiple, but brief, stints in rehab.

Castro graduated from Hopatcong High School in 2006, and is survived by a two-year-old daughter, Castro-Saavedra told NJ.com.

During the early morning hours on Wednesday, March 29, DeSantos and Barbour allegedly moved Castro from a Route 22 motel and concealed her body in the center median amongst bushes, trees, and high grass, Robertson said.

Castro’s cause and manner of death are pending by the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

On Friday, April 7 at around 11 p.m. detectives successfully tracked DeSantos to a home in High Bridge and he was arrested on an outstanding fugitive warrant from Pennsylvania. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail awaiting a bail detention hearing.

Barbour is identified as an accomplice and assisted defendant DeSantos with disposing and concealing the human remains. Barbour is described as a 26 year old white female, approximately 5’4”, 106 pounds, Green Eyes, and Blond/Brown hair.

Anyone with information regarding the location of Barbour is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, the Branchburg Township Police Department (908) 526-3830 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888- 577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”.

All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

(Images via Somerset County Prosecutor's Office: David DeSantos, 32, of Henryville, Pennsylvania and Nicole Barbour, 26, of Hillside Road, in Ringwood)

With reporting by Alexis Tarrazi (Patch Staff)

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