Former Danville teacher murdered day after Christmas by husband

Published 12:50 pm Friday, December 29, 2017

According to online news reports from WLEX and Portland, Tennessee, station WKRN, a former teacher in the Danville Independent School District was murdered Tuesday. The stations cite a police report received by Portland police stating 49-year-old Jacqueline Castano was killed by her husband, Jose Castano, 55. 

Superintendent Keith Look with Danville Schools said he is unsure of exactly when Jacqueline Castano worked as a special education teacher for Jennie Rogers Elementary School, but that it had been “several years ago.” He said administrative staff members who have access to those records are out for the holidays. 

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A statement was released by the Danville Independent Schools District: 

“Our staff is saddened by the news of the death of former Jennie Rogers Elementary teacher Jacqueline Castano. All of us at Danville Independent Schools extend our deepest sympathy to Castano’s family and friends.”

Reports state Jacqueline Castano was a teacher at Madison Creek Elementary School in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Madison Creek’s PTO released a statement on Facebook, which reads: “Words of comfort and reassurance are difficult to find this evening, as I write to inform our school family of a tragic loss. MCE’s beloved CDC teacher, Jacque Castano, lost her life Tuesday at her home in Portland. The staff and I would appreciate your prayers during this difficult time, especially on behalf of those who knew Jacque best — her own children, her students, and their families.”

According to WKRN.com, Jose Castano called police just after noon Tuesday to admit he killed his wife. The station cites a news release received from police stating he said he killed his wife after an argument about infidelity. A gun suspected as being used in the incident was recovered, according to the release.

WKRN printed a partial transcript of the 911 call from Jose Castano, where he admits he shot his wife, her age, and that he knows CPR but that it was “too late” to administer it. He tells the operator his gun will be on the dresser of the bedroom, where Jacqueline Castano’s body was found. 

Jose Castano was found on the back porch of the home where he was taken without incident, and booked into the Sumner County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder. 

According to WKRN, this is the city’s first and only murder of 2017.