Nearly 20 years after the brutal murder of Washington middle school teacher and coach Bob Mars, the two teenagers convicted in his killing are now seeking early release, sparking outrage and fear across the Tri-Cities region.
Mars’ widow, Kris Mars, joined The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI to speak out about the parole petitions and the trauma that has resurfaced as a result.
“We were told we were done. You can imagine how shocked we were when we received the letter from the state that Suarez had petitioned for early release & had been approved for a hearing."
Widow of murdered WA teacher Bob Mars speaks out as convicted killers seek early release pic.twitter.com/eCZ6RWajPo
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) June 10, 2025
In 2004, Bob Mars was murdered by 14-year-old Jordan Castillo and 16-year-old Robert Suarez in what prosecutors described as a gang initiation. Mars had stopped by Ki-Be Middle School in Benton County, where he taught sixth grade and coached football, when he was approached by the teens under the pretense of needing to use a phone. They stabbed him in the stomach and left him to die in a school hallway. Before fleeing, they ransacked his truck.
Both teens were tried as adults and convicted of first-degree murder. Suarez was sentenced in 2005 to 26 years and 8 months, while Castillo was sentenced in 2006 to 29 years and 9 months. Castillo was also convicted of robbery. Now, the two men are petitioning the Washington State Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) for early release — a move that has reopened wounds for the Mars family.
“We were told we were done,” Kris Mars said during the interview, recalling how Suarez had previously requested a resentencing hearing, which was denied by a Benton County judge. “You can imagine how shocked we were when we received the letter from the state last October that Suarez had petitioned for early release and had been tentatively approved for a hearing in July.”
The family was further blindsided when they were informed in April that Castillo would also be up for early release, with a hearing scheduled for February 2026.
“This nightmare never ends,” Kris said. “We have no access to what they’re submitting for their release. Meanwhile, they can see every letter we write.”
According to Mars, the ISRB offers no transparency for victims’ families. The board has not provided any of the materials submitted by Suarez or Castillo in support of their release, and even the victim impact statements must be pre-approved before being presented.
“We weren’t even allowed to help pick the date of the hearing,” Mars explained. “My youngest son is getting married in August. His birthday is in July. There are things we want to celebrate — but instead we are forced to relive the worst moments of our lives.”
While neither offender will be present at the upcoming hearing, Kris plans to read statements from her sons on their behalf. A Community Concern Hearing will be held on June 23 at 637 Woodland Square Loop SE in Lacey. Those who wish to speak at the meeting must first be approved by the board.
“I would agree 100% that victims have no rights,” Mars said. “It’s all about the perpetrator. There’s no equity in this process.”
Mars also noted that her experience isn’t unique. Similar concerns about the state’s parole system have surfaced in other high-profile cases, including the controversial attempted release of convicted mass murderer Timothy Pauley earlier this year. The Pauley case drew national attention after his victims’ families were notified only after his release was already underway.
“He deserves so much better,” she said. “These men are trying to reduce their sentences by nearly a decade. But we can’t add that time to Bob’s life. So I will fight till my last breath.”
Kris Mars urged the public to take action: “The best thing people can do is write to the board and the governor. Let them know this is not okay.”
A Community Concern Hearing will be held on June 23 at 637 Woodland Square Loop SE in Lacey, where family members and community supporters may present or submit victim impact statements to the board. Those unable to attend can send letters of opposition to:
Department of Corrections
PO Box 40907
Olympia, WA 98504-0907
Or email:
isrb@DOC1.WA.GOV
Listen to The Ari Hoffman Show 3-6 PM Pacific on Talk Radio 570 KVI, KVI.com and the KVI app.
