Laura Castillo

Do you know who murdered Laura Castillo?
On a spring day in Cincinnati, Ohio, the life of 34-year-old Laura Castillo, a White female, was violently cut short. On May 14, 2009, she was discovered unconscious in the front yard of a residence in the North Fairmount neighborhood. The home, located in the 2600 block of Cora Avenue, became the scene of a tragedy that continues to trouble the community. Emergency services responded, and Laura was rushed to University Hospital to be treated for what was described as severe head trauma. Despite the efforts of medical staff, she succumbed to her injuries a short time later.

Initially, the circumstances surrounding Laura's death were unclear. The Cincinnati Police Department's Homicide Unit was called in to lead the investigation, and an autopsy was performed. It took several months of further review by the Hamilton County Coroner's Office before the official cause of death was determined. In October 2009, the coroner ruled that Laura Castillo's death was a homicide, the result of the brutal beating she had endured. The specific injuries were identified as severe head trauma.

The investigation into who was responsible for Laura’s death has remained active for over a decade, yet no arrests have been made. The case is featured on the Ohio Attorney General's Unsolved Homicides database, a grim reminder that justice has not yet been served. Law enforcement officials have not publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest in the years since the killing. The details of what led to the fatal assault on Cora Avenue remain unknown, leaving a painful void for those who knew and loved Laura.

Information about Laura's personal life, her family, her work, and her interests has not been publicly shared, leaving a portrait of the victim incomplete. The focus of public records remains solely on the violent end to her life and the ongoing quest for answers. Her case is one of many in Hamilton County that officials highlight in hopes of generating new leads. Organizations like UCanSpeakForMe work to keep the memories of victims alive, reminding the public that behind each name is a person who is deeply missed. "As you search through the faces, remember they are cousins, aunts and mothers," said founder Hope Dudley. "Their birthdays are still celebrated. There is an empty seat at the table come holidays."

The Cincinnati Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) continue to seek information that could break the long stalemate in the case. They rely on the possibility that someone, somewhere, holds a piece of information that could be the key to understanding what happened to Laura. The passage of time can sometimes encourage people to come forward who may have been hesitant to do so in the past.

As of November 2026, Laura Castillo's murder remains an open and unsolved cold case. Investigators urge anyone with knowledge about the incident, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. A tip line is available for individuals to share information, and callers can remain anonymous. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040 or the Ohio BCI at 855-224-6446. For the family and friends of Laura Castillo, the wait for justice is a heavy burden, one they have carried for more than fifteen years.