Cindy Nguyen, 60, a Vietnamese-language radio host on AM 1290 KAZA in San Jose, was carjacked Saturday night after having some reported "car trouble" and pulling into a Target shopping center. She called her assistant shortly after, but was never heard from again. The suspect in the case is a career criminal by the name of Paul Ray Castillo. Nguyen's body was found Saturday morning at a home to which Castillo had ties.
The 33-year-old Castillo began a crime spree Friday at a nearby Chevron station where he shot a 42-year-old man while he was pumping gas. That victim is expected to survive. Castillo then drove to the nearby Target shopping center, where he may have offered to help Nguyen jump-start her car. Police ultimately tracked him down Sunday night in West Sacramento, and he is now in custody. He is a parolee with a history of violent crime.
Cindy was a popular host with a morning and evening show, and the crime is being mourned by friends, family, and fans most especially because of its randomness.
There will be a candlelight vigil at The Plant shopping center this Friday night.
