SALT LAKE CITY— A 66-year-old Utah nursing home resident, Gideon Castro, who was arrested in connection to a decades-old murder case in Hawaii, may not be extradited and could soon be released, according to a proposed court motion.
Castro was taken into custody in Utah on January 21, 2025, on suspicion of second-degree murder. However, officials in Hawaii are reportedly reconsidering whether to move forward with extradition, according to a spokesperson from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
A motion currently awaiting judicial approval would formally order Castro’s release, removing any legal hold on him in Utah. He is presently housed in the Health Services Unit of the Salt Lake County Jail.
Extradition Uncertainty
Utah attorney Clayton Simms explained that extradition typically involves coordination between state governors. If Hawaii authorities do not place a legal hold on Castro in Utah, he would be released.
“Extradition can always be revisited,” Simms told ABC4. “Given that this case is nearly 50 years old, it’s possible that authorities are working to strengthen their case before proceeding further.”
Simms also noted that murder charges have no statute of limitations, meaning that Hawaii prosecutors could dismiss the case now and refile charges later without issue.
“It seems he was initially questioned shortly after the murder but was not arrested at that time,” Simms added. “Now, with advancements in DNA analysis, investigators have found enough evidence to charge him—but whether they will ultimately extradite him remains uncertain.”
The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment on the situation, saying the case remains under investigation. Similarly, the Honolulu Police Department stated they have no updates at this time.
In February 2025, Castro waived his right to fight extradition during a court hearing in Salt Lake City. The Associated Press reported that Castro appeared via video from a hospital bed during the proceedings.
If the judge signs the proposed order, Castro would be released from custody in Utah without being transferred to Hawaii.
Case Background
The case dates back to March 21, 1977, when Honolulu police responded to reports at a local high school and discovered the body of 16-year-old Dawn Momohara.
She was found partially clothed with an orange cloth tightly wrapped around her neck and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Honolulu Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes.
Detectives interviewed Castro about a week later, as he had met Momohara at a school dance the year prior and had attended the same high school. However, he was not arrested at that time.
Decades later, in 2019, the case was reopened, and forensic experts extracted a partial DNA profile from evidence found on Momohara’s shorts. By May 2020, authorities had identified an unknown male’s DNA.
In 2023, investigators narrowed their focus to Castro and his brother as possible suspects. After ruling out the brother through DNA testing, officials obtained a sample from Castro in Utah. The DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene, leading to his arrest in January 2025.
While records indicate Castro is still officially a Hawaii resident, it remains unclear how long he had been living in Utah before his arrest.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available .
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