It was supposed to be a fun getaway for a group of friends from Ohio celebrating their high school graduation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. No one expected the vacation to end with one of the graduates allegedly killing another. Blake William Linkous, 18, is accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend, Natalie Martin, 18, on June 6 before abandoning her body in a hotel room. It was discovered June 7.
He was arrested and charged with Martin's murder. Investigators are searching for a motive and trying to figure out what prompted the alleged attack.
More from CafeMom: Judge Denies Jail Transfer for Florida Teen Accused of Stabbing Cheerleader 114 Times
Linkous and Martin had dated for a long time.
Per the New York Post, Martin's good friend, Brooklyn Ferrell, told the Sun News Linkous and Martin had been in a relationship for the last several years but had recently broke up. Photos on their Facebook profiles show the couple seemingly happy and smiling throughout the previous several years.
Something suspicious happened at the hotel that night.
Although details about what caused the alleged attack are sketchy, an arrest report obtained by WMBF noted that witnesses led investigators to believe Linkous was the killer.
When police arrived at the hotel, Martin's body and another injured person were found, according to The News Lamp. That person was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police explained that "suspicious circumstances were detected."
Martin was taken to a hospital.
Emergency medical responders took her body to the Medical University of South Carolina for an autopsy, The News Lamp reported. Linkous was arrested and charged with murder. He is being held in the Horry County Detention Center without bond.
Ferrell created a GoFundMe account for Martin's family.
Martin's dear friend wanted to help the teen's family, so she established the fundraiser in the name of her mother, Megan Dingey's
"Hi, my name is Brooklyn Ferrell. I am raising money for my best friend's (Natalie Martin) funeral expenses. Natalie had just graduated high school and was only 18 years old when she suddenly passed away on 6/6/2023. All donations will be sent to the Martin/Dingey family to help them pay for all funeral expenses. #LLN ️❤️,” a post on the site reads.
The account has raised $31,000 so far, surpassing the original goal of $15,000. Donors shared condolences with Natalie's family.
"I'm a parent of two children that graduated from Philo one in 2020 and the other in 2022. As well I have a nephew that graduated with her as I was present at the ceremony," one donor wrote. "God bless the families going through this tragedy as we all need you. Prayers and sorrows♥️."
Local businesses have also donated to help the family.
"Money raised from New Image Nutrition. Prayers for the friends and family ♥️," one comment reads. "El Palenque Mexican Restaurant in Duncan Falls. Tips received from Everett's Lemonade Stand. Many prayers."
More from CafeMom: Teen Who Allegedly Killed His Girlfriend & 2 Others During Home Invasion Charged as Adult
The tragedy has shaken the small community.
Linkous and Martin recently graduated from Philo High School in Duncan Falls, Ohio.
"We're hurting. It's a tragedy. We are just shocked with disbelief," Principal Troy Dawson told Fox News Digital. "She was well-liked by her classmates and teachers and was very sweet and very funny."
"Natalie lived her life to the fullest with joy, laughter, and love. She brought true happiness to all that knew her. She had a free, pure and wild spirit with a contagious laugh, a personality out of this world that could bring anyone out of their darkest of days," her obituary reads. "Natalie enjoyed all of nature's beauty. She loved to hunt, shoot guns, fish, wrangle snakes, plant and nurture flowers, and could gut and skin a deer better than most grown men.
"Natalie spent much time loving on her dogs, Radar, Hella, and Tiny Little B, her many chickens, and her cat, Phoebe," it continues. "She had a life-long love for softball and soccer. Natalie's beauty shined like a ray of sunlight and her smile could brighten a whole room. Her glowing blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes represented that she was truly an angel here on Earth."
The funeral was planned for Wednesday, followed by a candlelight vigil at the high school on Thursday.
