Nearly five years after the bodies of two newborn twins were discovered in a trash-strewn alley in the Bronx, police have arrested Stephanie Castillo, 36, on suspicion of murdering the infants, following a breakthrough using advanced DNA technology.
Castillo was taken into custody on Friday and charged with multiple counts, including first- and second-degree murder, murder with intent, and manslaughter, in connection with the deaths of the twin boys named Zeke and Zane by NYPD officers who were found dead in Claremont, a Bronx neighborhood, in November 2020.
The arrest marks a major development in a case that has haunted investigators and the community for years. NYPD Assistant Chief Michael Baldassano said detectives remained personally committed to the case, holding yearly memorials for the babies.
"Our detectives had the funeral for these two children. Every year they had a memorial. They have never stopped caring about this case," Baldassano said.
The twins were discovered by Renford Cole, 75, who said the arrest lifted a "huge burden" from his heart. One infant was found wrapped in a pet training pad with his umbilical cord around his neck and signs of head trauma. The other was located about 20 feet away inside a black plastic bag with no visible injuries. Both children were believed to be less than 24 hours old at the time of death.
“Those were babies, innocent babies. I’m going to sleep better tonight,” Cole told the New York Post.
Despite no initial leads, investigators from the NYPD’s Forensic Investigation Division persisted. A major break came when blood recovered at the scene believed to be from the suspect, yielded a familial match in a genealogical DNA database.
The final piece of evidence came when Castillo discarded a drink container, which investigators collected and tested. The DNA matched the earlier forensic sample, conclusively linking her to the crime.
“Interviews, video canvasses, and really great forensic work brought us to where we are today,” said Chief Baldassano.
Sources say Castillo had been living with her parents at the time and never disclosed her pregnancy. It remains unclear whether the births occurred at home or elsewhere. Police have not disclosed a motive but described the case as one of the most tragic and unsettling in recent memory.
A funeral for the infants was held in September 2021, attended by about 20 NYPD officers. The twins were laid to rest in a single white casket adorned with white flowers and a blue ribbon.
The investigation serves as a stark reminder of the power of modern forensic science in solving cold cases, and the persistence of law enforcement even when leads go cold.
Castillo is currently in custody and awaiting arraignment. The case remains under investigation.
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