Hector Ramon Martinez-Ayala, the father of recently deceased Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Marbella Martinez, has been charged with her murder. The 54-year-old man allegedly strangled his daughter and then stole his twin brother’s identification to flee the country.
Martinez-Ayala was taken into custody on August 1 after his daughter’s body was discovered in their family home in Tooele, Utah during a welfare check conducted by local authorities. The investigation revealed that the father had been sending disturbing texts to his daughter, which were described as “more of the nature of a jealous lover than a father.” In February, Martinez found her own underwear hidden in her father’s room, while in July, he placed a tracking device and a hidden camera on her car to monitor her activities during a vacation.
Authorities believe that Martinez-Ayala strangled his daughter, Marbella Martinez, who worked as a corrections officer with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO), on July 31. Before leaving the country, he sent a text message to his twin brother, which read: “My brother, you know much I love you, I made a big mistake, an unforgivable sin, now I’m too scared and I don’t know what to do. I think I will never come back.
Martinez-Ayala’s current whereabouts are unknown, and he faces charges of murder, stalking, and obstructing justice in connection with his daughter’s death. In a Facebook announcement, Sheriff Rosie Rivera expressed her grief over the loss of Martinez: “In her short time with us, she became a cherished friend and an integral part of our team.
