(PatriotNews.net) – A man from Utah is being hunted by police after allegedly strangling his 25-year-old daughter to death following months of stalking her. The suspect, 54-year-old Hector Ramon Martinez-Ayala, was charged with the murder of his daughter, Marbella Martinez, and has since fled the country, according to authorities.
Marbella’s body was found on August 1 at the home she shared with her father in Tooele, Utah. An autopsy confirmed that she died from strangulation. Before disappearing, Martinez-Ayala sent a chilling text message to his twin brother, confessing to what he called an “unforgivable sin.” In the message, he wrote, “I made a big mistake, an unforgivable sin… I think I will never come back.”
Martinez-Ayala had been working as a Salt Lake County sheriff’s deputy, adding even more shock to the case. Court documents reveal disturbing details of how he had become obsessed with his daughter. Prosecutors say Martinez-Ayala used electronic devices to stalk and track Marbella, behaving more like a jealous partner than a father. His obsession reportedly worsened in the days leading up to the murder.
The stalking escalated on July 29, when Martinez-Ayala found his daughter with a romantic partner. Marbella fled their home and stayed at a hotel for safety. However, on July 31, surveillance footage showed her returning to the house. Two hours later, her father arrived. Her body was discovered later that day, lying on her bed, with signs of a violent struggle. Prosecutors noted blood in her mouth and scratch marks on her face and neck, indicating the brutal nature of the crime.
Martinez-Ayala is believed to have fled the country with the help of friends or family. Police are urging anyone who knows his whereabouts or helped him escape to come forward. Authorities are intensifying their search and asking the public for assistance in locating the suspect.
A local news station, KSL-TV, showed images of the father and daughter before the tragic incident, making the crime even more heartbreaking for the community.
Copyright 2024, PatriotNews.net
