Two people have been charged in connection to the murder of their teen cousin. On Saturday, November 9, 2024, police responded to a report of a body found wrapped in a comforter near the side of the highway in Hartford, Connecticut.
Later, officials determined that the victim had been shot multiple times. Authorities identified the victim as 18-year-old Edgar Josué Chiche Martínez, who died just days before his 19th birthday.
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Investigators believe Martínez's body was moved after he was shot inside his apartment.
After finding the body near the highway in Hartford, police launched a homicide investigation. Officers believe that Martínez was shot inside an apartment about a day before his body was found. According to Martínez’s family, the teen lived at the apartment with his cousins, reported NBC Connecticut.
Martínez's cousins have been charged.
Two people have been charged in the murder of the teen. Per NBC Connecticut, an unnamed 17-year-old has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence. In addition, 21-year-old Sender Soto-Veliz faces charges of hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. Both suspects are Martínez’s cousins. According to the family, Martínez’s parents live in Guatemala, and he lived with the cousins.
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Martínez's aunt believes the murder was related to money.
Although Martínez’s aunt, Verónica Imelda Martínez Mayen, described the teen as a well-behaved kid who “stayed away from parties” and was “very friendly,” the family believes that the murder was related to money, per NBC Connecticut. The teen had recently graduated from high school. He was also days away from celebrating his 19th birthday.
The teen's sister described him as the 'most beautiful person I could’ve ever known.'
Nimsa Martínez, who is the victim’s sister, told NBC Connecticut that her brother always looked out for her. “He was the person who always took care of me, despite him not being OK,” she said. “I’m going to remember him as the most beautiful person I could’ve ever known.”
Police have not shared a potential motive.
Although some members of Martínez’s family have spoken up about a potential motive, police have not disclosed this information. They did, however, find evidence of a crime scene at the apartment.
Martínez’s aunt is hoping for justice. “What we do want is for earthly justice to be made because God’s justice is on the other side,” she told NBC Connecticut.
