The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man found dead with gunshot wounds on a golf cart along a trail on San Antonio’s North Side as 39-year-old Pete Hosea Castillo. His body was discovered in a remote area near Walker Ranch Park on October 6, raising significant concerns and prompting an investigation by San Antonio police.
Initially, Castillo’s age was unclear, as San Antonio police estimated him to be between 20 and 30 years old. However, the Medical Examiner later confirmed his identity and age on Friday, October 15, and ruled his death as a homicide.
On the afternoon of October 6, a park police officer was patrolling the North Salado Creek Greenway System, a popular recreational area behind Walker Ranch Park in the 12600 block of West Avenue.
The officer noticed an unusual object partially hidden in the wooded area just off the trail. Upon further inspection, the officer discovered a golf cart wedged into thick shrubbery. Inside the passenger seat was a man’s body, concealed under a carpet or tarp, which suggested an attempt to cover up or delay the discovery of the body. This unexpected discovery immediately prompted a police investigation into the circumstances of Castillo’s death.
The preliminary report from the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) indicated that Castillo had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and his manner of death was classified as a homicide by the Medical Examiner’s office. Authorities believe Castillo may have been transported to the location in the golf cart before being left behind in the wooded area, though further details about the crime scene have not been disclosed.
The secluded location along the North Salado Creek Greenway, combined with the fact that Castillo’s body was partially covered, has raised suspicions about whether the area was chosen deliberately to delay the discovery of his body.
Walker Ranch Park and its surrounding trails are generally known for their peaceful atmosphere, frequented by locals who come to walk, jog, or enjoy the green spaces. The news of Castillo’s death shocked the community, as it brought an unsettling reality to a place usually associated with leisure and family activities. The homicide has cast a shadow over the otherwise serene environment, prompting park visitors and residents to remain on high alert. Local authorities have since increased patrols in the area as a precautionary measure, though they have yet to release additional information about potential suspects or motives behind Castillo’s killing.
