Death of former Boise restaurant owner ruled accidental by Ada County coroner
The Ada County Coroner’s Office has ruled the death of a prominent former restaurant owner an accident at his home.
In a news release Monday, the coroner’s office found that Robert William Castoro, 53, the former owner of Barbacoa off of ParkCenter Boulevard in Boise, died of “traumatic head injuries.”
At about 10:45 a.m. Friday, Boise police were called to Castoro’s home on Gossamer Lane in Southeast Boise. Castoro was rushed to the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just before 4 p.m. the same day, according to the news release.
The autopsy took place late Friday.
Boise police found and reviewed home security footage. In a separate news release Monday, Boise police said detectives were able to see how the injuries occurred and were able to verify that Castoro was the only person home at the time. Detectives found no evidence that a crime had been committed.
BPD concluded its investigation into Castoro’s death and said no more information would be released.
Castoro was the former owner of Barbacoa, 276 West Bobwhite Court in East Boise, one of the Treasure Valley’s most popular restaurants. It spent more money on liquor than any other bar or restaurant in the Treasure Valley in fiscal year 2019: $406,995 on 19,695 bottles.
Barbacoa opened in 2007 and became a hit with its “icetinis” and signature table-side guacamole. The restaurant burned down on New Year’s Eve 2009. Castoro rebuilt it and reopened on New Year’s Eve 2010.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 11:47 AM.
