Homicide - Update

On 7/14/2024 in the late evening, Humboldt County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 27000 block of Highway 36 near Bridgeville to investigate the report of a possible shooting. Deputies responded and located one deceased male. Melvin Portillo, age 20 of Sacramento, California, was subsequently arrested for homicide. There are no outstanding suspects or parties, and there is no danger or threat to the public.

This case is still under investigation.

UPDATE:

Next of kin has been notified. The identity of the decedent has been positively identified as Rafael Orlando Castillo-Cortes, age 34, of Sacramento. Castillo-Cortes and Portillo were known to each other prior to this incident. An autopsy is scheduled for later this week to determine the cause of death.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office extends our deepest sympathies to Rafael Orlando Castillo-Cortes's family and friends during this difficult time. Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff's Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Receive HCSO news straight to your phone or email. Subscribe to news alerts at: humboldtsheriff.org/subscribe.