Daniel Borunda

El Paso Times

Chihuahua City man suspected of dismembering the bodies of men he allegedly killed.

Investigators arrested a man suspected of being a serial killer linked to the rapes and dismemberment of up to 15 men in Chihuahua City, the state attorney general's office said Tuesday.

Chihuahua state investigators arrested Andres Ulises Castillo Villarreal, 35, in connection with the deaths of three men and the rapes of two others.

Authorities suspect that Castillo could be linked to 12 more homicides "recorded in different parts of the city committed with a high degree of brutality during the period from 2009 to 2015," a news release states.

The Chihuahua attorney general's office and state police said that the killings were of a sexual nature and were linked to the use of drugs. Castillo was allegedly in possession of crystal methamphetamine when he was arrested, officials said.

Officials said that an investigation began Nov. 17 when body parts were found in the yard of an abandoned home. The rest of the body was found two days later on a street.

Castillo allegedly killed the men by hitting them on the head with a blunt object. He then cut up the bodies with a hacksaw before leaving the body parts in different locations, the attorney general's office said.

Castillo is accused of killing Lorenzo Ernesto Olivas Berrios, Daniel Alfonso Rodriguez Morales and Fernando Valles Gandarilla.

Olivas had been reported missing Nov. 16. His remains were found Nov. 17, authorities said.

Rodriguez was last seen walking on a street Dec. 12, officials said. Rodriguez was allegedly killed in Castillo's home, and his dismembered body was found Dec. 13, officials said.

On Dec. 18, the body of Valles was found buried at the home where Castillo had been living for the past month, officials said.

The bodies were all found in the Desarollo Urbano area of Chihuahua City and the slayings allegedly took place in homes in the same neighborhood, authorities said.

Officials said that Castillo is also accused of raping two men in November by threatening to kill them if they didn't have sex with him.

Castillo's arrest was announced at a news conference Tuesday by Chihuahua Attorney General Jorge Enrique Gonzalez Nicolas and state police director Pablo Ernesto Rocha Acosta.

Officials said that investigators found witnesses and bloodstains on floors, walls, shoes, a wheelbarrow, a hacksaw and other objects allegedly linking Castillo to the killings. An investigation continues.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.