Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS

Vermont Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting and Murdering His Missing 82-Year-Old Neighbor After Her Body Found Dumped in Woods

Vermont Man Charged in Death of Missing 82-Year-Old Woman: Police
Source: Vermont State Police

The body of Roberta Martin (left) was found days after her neighbors reported her missing. Now, Darren Martell (right) has been arrested in connection with her death, police said.

Aug. 2 2024, Published 12:50 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Law enforcement officials in Vermont said a man has been arrested in connection with the death of his neighbor, who was reported missing several days before her body was found, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

On July 17, neighbors went to the house of 82-year-old Roberta Martin in Enosburg, noticed she wasn’t home and reported her disappearance, according to the Vermont State Police. Family members also claimed they last heard from Martin on July 16, Front Page Detectives reported.

Article continues below advertisement
Man Sentenced In Connection With 1980 Kansas Cold Case
Source: UNSPLASH

New evidence was obtained in 2022, which helped solve the 1980 cold case, officials said.

Multiple agencies assisted in a search for the elderly woman, and on July 21, state police located human remains in a wooded area, which the medical examiner positively identified as belonging to Martin.

On July 22, detectives tried to locate 23-year-old Darren Martell, one of several people they were interviewing as part of the investigation.

Article continues below advertisement
Woman in Las Vegas Accused of Casket Theft Claims She 'Blacked Out'
Source: UNSPLASH

Police were called to the scene after a body and casket were seen outside a funeral home.

Authorities spotted Martell in the woods and he fled after officers approached him while he was allegedly masturbating along a walking path near a school, state police officials said.

Article continues below advertisement
Houston Man Accused of Killing Ex-Girlfriend During Child’s Party
Source: UNSPLASH

After days on the run, Foreman was arrested by police on Sept. 16.

MORE ON:
crime

DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.

A nearby school reportedly went into lockdown as authorities began searching for Martell in the area. He was found shortly after and arrested on a charge of lewd and lascivious conduct.

As the investigation continued, authorities identified Martell, who had been living in a trailer next door to Martin’s home, as the primary suspect in Martin’s death.

Article continues below advertisement
Texas Attorney Charged with Buying Babies from Inmates: Cops
Source: MEGA

Messages between the attorney and the inmates show Hall agreeing to put money on their accounts for the babies, officials said.

Police alleged the suspect broke into the victim’s home, sexually assaulted her, dumped her remains in a wooded area and tried to burn them, according to court records obtained by VTDigger.

Investigators collected DNA from Martin’s body, which reportedly pointed to Martin as a suspect, the records claim.

Article continues below advertisement

Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free.

On July 25, Martell, who was already in custody, was charged with aggravated murder, authorities said.

He remains held in the Vermont Department of Corrections without bond. If convicted, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Have a tip? Send it to us! Email RadarOnline.com at tips@radaronline.com.

More From Radar Online

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.