Lang
8/21/25
An arrest has been made in a Louisa County murder case.
58-year-old Salvador Castaneda was charged with 1st Degree Murder on Tuesday.
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office says Castaneda was seen dragging the body of Noe Ibarra-Tijerina down Collins Road and R Avenue southeast of Columbus Junction around 4:30 on the afternoon of June 25th. The van Castaneda was driving was found in a ditch, with a black cord hanging from it. Ibarra-Tijerina’s body was found in the opposite ditch with what appeared to be the other end of the cord tied around his waist. The body had injuries consistent with being dragged down a gravel road.
Investigators say they found a pool of blood, a shell casing, and a bloody trail and drag marks at a building on Collins Road. The trail of blood led from the building to the crash site.
Castaneda was found on Collins Road. He reportedly had the keys to the van on his person and blood stains on his clothing. He was arrested and charged with Abuse of a Corpse, a Class C Felony punishable by a maximum of ten years in prison.
A cellphone and a handgun were found inside the vehicle, and an autopsy showed Ibarra-Tijerina died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Police say witnesses provided additional information that Ibarra-Tijernia and Castaneda were having a disagreement over a sum of money prior to the reported vehicle crash.
If convicted on the murder charge, Castaneda would be sentenced to life in prison.
An immigration detainer has since been issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).