VACAVILLE, CA – A man from California has been sentenced to 73 years to life in prison after pleading no contest to charges of murder and arson. Victor Serriteno, 33, was convicted of killing Priscilla Castro, a woman he met on a dating app, and subsequently starting a wildfire that resulted in the deaths of two additional victims, Douglas Mai, 82, and Leon Bone, 64.

The tragic events unfolded in August 2020 when Serriteno, a resident of Vacaville, killed 32-year-old Castro and attempted to dispose of her body by setting it on fire near the Putah Creek Wildlife Area, off Highway 128 in Solano County. The fire, ignited on August 18, 2020, rapidly spread, destroying hundreds of structures and consuming thousands of acres in northern Solano County.

The Solano County District Attorney, Krishna Abrams, detailed that Serriteno transported Castro’s body to the wildlife area, where he attempted to burn it.

The resulting blaze, known as the Markley Fire, was one of the most devastating in the county’s history. Castro’s identification became possible when investigators discovered an angel pendant amid the charred debris, tying Serriteno to the crime.

Tragically, the fire merged with a larger blaze, the Hennessey Fire, which cut through parts of the LNU Lightning Complex, engulfing north Solano County and leading to the deaths of Mai and Bone, both Vacaville residents who were caught in the flames.

Serriteno’s no-contest plea brought some resolution to the community, long scarred by the catastrophic events triggered by his actions. District Attorney Abrams expressed hope that the conviction provides a measure of closure to the victims’ families and a sense of justice, while ensuring Serriteno can no longer threaten the community.

Serriteno’s sentence encompasses 15 years to life for the murder of Castro, with another 25 years to life for the subsequent deaths of Mai and Bone. Additionally, he received an eight-year sentence for arson charges, totaling 73 years to life in prison.

This case underscores the severe consequences of incendiary actions and the indelible impact on those affected, as the community grapples with the aftermath and the loss of lives and homes.