Jose Miguel Castro, cooperating witness in the case against former Lima Mayor Susana Villaran for alleged organized crime and other offenses, was found dead in Lima’s Miraflores district on Sunday, the
Public Ministry confirmed.
Castro Gutierrez had served as municipal manager during Susana Villaran's administration (2011-2014).
He was implicated in the receipt of illicit contributions from Brazilian construction companies Odebrecht and OAS to finance the "No to the recall" and re-election campaigns of the former mayor.
The former Lima Metropolitan Municipality official was found dead last Sunday in the apartment building where he lived, located on Madrid Street in said district.
Police agents and on-duty personnel from the Public Ministry arrived at the scene to carry out the required legal procedures.
In remarks to Canal N, Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez, from the Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group, confirmed the death, Likewise, Perez said his office is awaiting information from the district prosecutor's office.
Perez also stated that the former municipal official had visited the Special Team's offices last week to review matters related to the plea bargain deal process he had joined.
He added that Castro had not mentioned any situation that might have caused him fear for his physical safety.
Therefore, news of his death came as a surprise.
(END) MCA/JCR/MVB
Published: 6/30/2025