CASTROVILLE, CA — The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred early Sunday morning in Castroville.
On Sept. 6, 2026, shortly after 2:00 a.m., deputies responded to reports of a stabbing near Merritt Street and Preston Street. Emergency personnel provided medical care to the victim on scene before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities identified the deceased as 30-year-old Fernando Flores Ruiz of Seaside.
Following an investigation, detectives identified 28-year-old Robert Lee Jeffrey of Monterey as the primary suspect. At approximately 5:00 p.m. the same day, detectives located Jeffrey in the 400 block of Hannon Avenue in Monterey, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Jeffrey was booked into the Monterey County Jail on suspicion of murder under Penal Code 187(a), with bail set at $1,020,000.
The Sheriff’s Office indicated that the investigation remains active. Detectives are requesting that community members, local businesses, and residents with surveillance or doorbell footage from the area of Merritt and Preston Streets contact Detective Jesus Reyes at 831-755-3805.
