The family of Allison Castillo, the 15-year-old that was recently fatally stabbed in Costa Mesa, has launched a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral and memorial services.
Castillo was attacked on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m., at the 700 block of the Shalimar Drive, in Costa Mesa.
During the investigation, detectives and Gang Unit investigators established that this was a gang-related attack. The man suspected of stabbing the victim was quickly identified and subsequently located in Anaheim.
Saturday evening, with the assistance of the Anaheim Police Department, the suspected gang member, Matthew Juarez, 31, Anaheim, was arrested at his home without further incident.
How does a man in his 30’s justify the brutal slaying of a female teenager half his age?
Castillo’s family had this to say about her on their GoFundMe page:
Alison was an extraordinary soccer player whose talent and dedication opened incredible doors. She had been accepted to travel to Spain to play the sport she loved, but tragically, that opportunity was taken from her.
She also participated in a special Nike Toma event and, over the years, had the chance to play in tournaments, meet many people, and form lifelong connections that left a lasting impact.
Off the field, Allison was the life of the party always bringing joy, laughter, and warmth to everyone around her. She was someone you could always count on, no matter what, and she gave her heart to everyone she met. Her kindness, her ability to inspire, and her loving nature changed lives. She was a kind soul who didn’t deserve what happened to her.
So far the GoFundMe page has raised over $13K.
Indeed, how does this man live with himself. His allegiance to an idiotic gang of losers can justify killing a girl half his age? How pathetic. We have to stop glamorizing the gang and street lifestyles and aesthetic. It’s been integrated too far into the identity and family life of too many in our community. Even those who aren’t gang members adopt the styles, music, and general street attitudes. But today when I express this view, I get lobbed with accusations of racism or at minimum cultural insensitivity– as if the 20th century Chicano gangster experience is the defining end all of Latino culture. This is holding the community back, not helping it.