Utah man arrested in slaying of estranged wife

A man suspected of killing his estranged wife at her Layton home and then fleeing has been arrested, police said.

Joe Joseph Castillo, 45, was spotted Tuesday at a Del Taco restaurant in Lake Point, Utah, and picked up by law enforcement officers, Layton Police Department Lt. Jason Hinojosa said.

Castillo was brought to Layton, where he was booked into Davis County Jail on suspicion of first-degree felony murder. Jail records showed he was being held Wednesday in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Police believe Castillo stabbed his wife, 36-year-old Kaye Lynn Spackman, multiple times in the garage of her home near 3200 West and 1000 North in Layton about 11 p.m. Sunday. Spackman was taken to Davis Hospital and Medical Center, where she died.

Spackman and Castillo had split up recently after more than 20 years of marriage, according to Layton police. They said the attack was witnessed by the couple's 17-year-old son and that their daughters, ages 8 and 4, were asleep at the time.

Castillo pleaded guilty April 1 in 2nd District Court to assault and unlawful detention and was sentenced to suspended terms of 180 days in jail for each of those misdemeanors, fined $900 and placed on 18 months of probation. The offenses were committed on March 16, court records show.

In addition, a protective order was issued prohibiting Castillo from harassing, calling or otherwise communicating with Spackman except for phone contact regarding the filing of their 2013 taxes. Communication regarding their children was to be done through a third party.

Officials at Hill Air Force Base, where Spackman was director of information protection for the 75th Air Base Wing and installation, expressed sadness for the loss of one of their own.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and co-workers," Col. Kathryn L. Kolbe, 75th Air Base Wing and installation commander, said in a written release. "They should know we are grateful for everything she did for the Air Force and to support the Team Hill mission. She was a valued member of our team, and she will be dearly missed."

Spackman's family has established a memorial fund in her name at local America First credit unions. Money collected will be used to pay for funeral expenses and other financial challenges connected with her sudden loss.

— Reporter Bob Mims contributed to this story