Death of Victoria Martens
Victoria Martens | |
| Date | August 23, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Location | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Type | Homicide |
| Burial | October 29, 2016 Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Suspects | Michelle Martens Fabian Gonzales Jessica Kelley John Doe |
| Charges | First-degree murder, child abuse, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, contributing to the delinquency of a minor |
| Trial | 2022 |
| Verdict | Guilty plea bargain accepted by Michelle Martens on June 29, 2018. Jessica Kelly accepted plea deal in 2019. Fabian Gonzales went to trial, found guilty. |
| Sentence | Fabian Gonzales sentenced to 37.5 years on October 27, 2022. Jessica Kelley sentenced to 44 years on April 29, 2022. Michelle Martens sentenced to 12 years. |
On August 24, 2016, the body of 10-year-old Victoria Martens (August 23, 2006 – August 23, 2016) was found in an apartment building in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After responding to a 9-1-1 call regarding a domestic dispute, officers discovered Martens' dismembered remains partially wrapped in a burning blanket in her mother's apartment. The victim's mother, 35-year-old Michelle Martens; her boyfriend, 31-year-old Fabian Gonzales; and Gonzales' cousin, 31-year-old Jessica Kelley, were arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in grievous bodily harm or death, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. All three suspects pled not guilty in the state's court. On June 29, 2018, Michelle Martens pled guilty to one count of child abuse resulting in death. The same day, the Albuquerque Police Department announced a fourth unidentified male suspect was being sought in connection to the case based on DNA evidence recovered from the scene.