Police in Utah are searching for 54-year-old Hector Ramon Martinez-Ayala, who is accused of strangling his 25-year-old daughter, Marbella Martinez, a sheriff’s deputy. Authorities believe Martinez-Ayala murdered his daughter at their home just outside of Salt Lake City in August. He has been charged with murder, stalking, obstruction of justice, and unlawful possession of identifying documents among other counts.
Before fleeing the country, Martinez-Ayala texted his brother confessing to committing an “unforgivable sin.” He withdrew $1,000 from his daughter’s bank account and disposed of her cellphone before leaving for San Francisco and then Houston, using his twin brother’s identification to board a flight to a different country.
Court records show that Martinez-Ayala had exhibited increasingly controlling behavior towards his daughter, including placing a tracking device in her vehicle and confronting her about her activities. After her death, surveillance footage showed Martinez entering their home on July 31, with any footage after his arrival being deleted or non-existent.
Marbella Martinez had joined the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office just months before her death and was described as a dedicated and cherished member of the team by Sheriff Rosie Rivera. The investigation into her death is ongoing, and Martinez-Ayala’s current whereabouts remain unknown. No attorney representing him has been listed in court records.
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