Coroner’s Office Confirms Suspect’s Identity and Search Continues for Kidnapping Victim 
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office has positively identified the decedent as 19-year-old Fernando Castro of Vallejo, California. Next of kin has been notified. The Coroner’s Office is conducting an extensive death investigation.
The whereabouts of kidnapping victim, 15-year-old Pearl Pinson of Vallejo, are still unknown and finding her is the number one priority at this time. Investigators from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Solano County Sheriff’s Office and FBI worked together throughout the night to process the crime scenes in Solvang and gather any potential evidence that may assist in finding Pearl. The agencies will continue to work closely together to share information and follow leads in the case.
At this time, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has no information to indicate that Pearl is in Santa Barbara County.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Pearl Pinson to call the Solano County Sheriff’s Office’s “Pearl Pinson Tip-Line” at 707-784-1963.
Address/Location
Santa Barbara County Sheriff
4434 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-681-4192
