Suspect In New Mexico Arrested In Death Of Santa Cruz Transient

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A transient man was arrested last week in Taos, New Mexico, on suspicion of killing another transient who frequented Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, sheriff's officials said Monday. Dale Pierce allegedly confessed to killing Remie Casillas whose remains were found August 26, 2016, buried at a construction site in the 3700 block of Rio Road in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Casillas, a 51-year-old woman, had been reported missing Jan. 15 from Santa Cruz County. A construction crew was digging when they found Casillas' remains. DNA samples helped the Monterey County coroner identify the remains as those of Casillas.

Sheriff's officials said Pierce, who's originally from Texas, had been a person of interest in the case and was difficult to track down because of his lifestyle. During the week of Nov. 27, deputies found out that Pierce was in Taos, New Mexico. Investigators flew there and on Dec. 4 located Pierce in the parking lot of a grocery store.

That day Pierce talked to investigators for a couple of hours and at the end of the conversation Pierce allegedly confessed to the premeditated killing of Casillas. Sheriff's officials said Pierce gave investigators at least one of the weapons he used in the alleged slaying.

Pierce was taken to the county jail in Taos where he's awaiting extradition to Monterey County.

By Bay City News

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