Murder charges filed in Louisa County death

On the afternoon of June 25, 2025, at approximately 4:28 p.m. Louisa County dispatch received a 911 call from a resident in the 14000 block of R Avenue, Columbus Junction, Iowa. The caller reported they believed a vehicle crash had occurred near their residence.

The Columbus Junction Police Department arrived on scene at 4:29 p.m. to locate an unoccupied vehicle that had been wrecked into the ditch, Louisa County Sheriff’s Office arrived soon after. A deceased Hispanic male, later identified as Noe Ibarra Tijerina was discovered in the opposite ditch with a black cord tied around his torso. Tijerina sustained extensive injuries to his body consistent with being dragged along the gravel road. A further witness observed as well to be what they believed to be a body being dragged down the road before the crash.

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The officer observed a cellphone and .25 auto handgun on the front floorboard of the van. Witnesses further identified Ilario “AKA Salvador” Castaneda at the scene of the crime and driver of the van. A scene investigation near 316 Collins Road in Columbus Junction identified pooled blood residue, a small caliber shell casing, blood trail and drag marks were observed. A blood trail and drag marks along the road surface continued from this location (Collins Road/R Avenue) and ceased where the van and body of Tijernia had been located.

During an interview with Castaneda, he would admit to being with Tijerina during the day, possessing a small firearm, keeping it in the van, and was in possession of the solo van key in his pocket. During the execution of a search warrant a gray T-shirt, matching Castaneda’s clothing description from the witnesses, was found inside the mechanic's shop with blood stains as well as on his shoes. A router tool located at the scene had a severed power cord and was consistent with the cord on Tijernia’s torso and hanging from the van bumper.

Witnesses provided additional information that Tijernia and Castaneda were having a disagreement over a sum of money prior to the reported vehicle crash. The autopsy of Tijernia revealed the cause of death as a small caliber gunshot wound to the head and manner of death was ruled a homicide.

On June 25, 2025 Ilario “AKA Salvador” Castaneda, 58, of Columbus Junction Iowa was taken into custody and at that time charged with Class C felony Abuse of a Corpse. Castaneda remained in custody and on Aug. 19, 2025 was charged with Class A felony 1st Degree Murder. Castaneda remains in custody on a $1,000,000 cash bond as well as an immigration detainer that has been issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Agents and Crime Scene Techs with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Columbus Junction Police Department, Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Louisa County Attorney’s Office, Columbus Junction Fire Department and the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office worked collectively during this case.

*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law*