‘Stalker’ dad of Salt Lake County sheriff’s deputy Marbella Martinez made sick admission after ‘strangling her to death’

THE dad of a murdered police officer sent a disturbing text message confession moments after he allegedly strangled her, court documents have revealed.

Hector Ramon Martinez-Ayala, 54, was charged with the murder of his 25-year-old daughter, Marbella Martinez, on Friday after allegedly fleeing the country using his twin brother’s ID.

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KSL / Melany Valle

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The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy was found dead in her bedroom at the Utah home she lived at with her father on August 1.

An autopsy revealed Martinez died by strangulation.

Her body was found at around 8:20 am that morning as cops did a welfare check after her mother and uncle raised concerns about her.

“Blood was observed in the victim’s mouth and there were visible apparent fingernail claw marks on the victim’s face and neck,” investigators said in court documents, per KSL News .

The court docs included a disturbing text message Martinez-Ayala sent to his brother just after 4:30 pm on July 31, a couple of hours after his daughter returned home.

“My brother, you know (how) much I love you, I made a big mistake, an unforgivable sin,” he wrote.

“I’m too scared and I don’t know what to do. I think I will never come back.”

Investigators called him an “obsessed and controlling dad” whose text messages were more like those “of a jealous lover than a father.”

Police said in February, Martinez found a bag of her underwear in her father’s bedroom.

His odd behavior toward his daughter allegedly escalated this summer when he “purchased a tracking device and hidden spy cameras.”

In July, he placed the tracking device on Martinez’s car, court documents claim.

Investigators believe the situation came to a head on July 29, two days before Martinez’s death.

Her father allegedly tracked her to Bates Canyon, where she was with “her romantic interest” and this caused an argument between the dad and daughter.

Martinez didn’t return home and chose to stay in a hotel instead, until July 31, the day she died.

Timeline of Marbella Martinez's final moments

February:

• Martinez reportedly found a bad of her underwear in her father’s room

Mid-July:

• Cops claim Hector Ramon Martinez-Ayala bought a tracking device which he attached to his daughter’s truck as well as spy cameras.

July 29:

• Martinez-Ayala tracked his daughter to Bates Canyon where she was with “her romantic interest.”
• This caused an argument between the father and daughter.
• Martinez stayed in a hotel instead of going home.

July 31:

• Martinez returned home around 11 am.
• She was captured on an indoor camera at 12:23 pm walking upstairs.
• Martinez-Ayala was captured on footage returning to the property at 2:17 pm
• Cameras were either wiped or deactivated during the afternoon.
• 4:30 pm Martinez-Ayala texts his brother about an “unforgivable sin.”
• He travels to Salt Lake City International Airport where he is believed to have dumped his daughter’s cell phone.
• He then flew to San Francisco and Houston before fleeing the country, cops claim.

August 1:

• Martinez’s body was found on her bed as cops carried out a welfare check at 8:20 am.

September 6:

• Martinez-Ayala was charged with murder, obstructing justice, stalking, and unlawful possession of a bank card, and two counts of unlawful use of a bank card and unlawful possession of someone else’s ID.

Surveillance footage showed Martinez returning home at around 11 am that morning.

She was captured on an indoor camera at 12:23 pm and the footage showed her walking upstairs.

Martinez’s father returned to the property at 2:17 pm.

Any footage after this time was allegedly deleted or failed to exist as the cameras were disabled “after his arrival.”

MOTHER’S INSTINCT

Martinez’s mother Barbara Jimenez, who lives in Belize, believes her ex-husband killed her daughter.

Jimenez, who had daily contact with her daughter, said Martinez argued with her father two days before her body was found.

On July 31, she told her mother that she was not feeling well and was planning to call in sick to work.

“The last message I had from her was around 2 pm,” Jimenez told KSL-TV .

Growing concerned, she contacted her ex-husband who told her their daughter was at work.

“He stopped answering me,” Jimenez said.

She continually tried to contact her daughter and ex-husband before turning to her former brother-in-law, who said he would check in on the pair.

He also called the police to request a welfare check on his niece.

Martinez’s uncle eventually called her mother to tell her cops discovered Martinez’s body – and that her ex-husband was nowhere to be found.

“When Marbella’s uncle called me, he just said, ‘I’m so sorry’ and I knew it. I could just feel something had happened to my daughter,” Jimenez said.

“I know Hector did something to her. He has a temper sometimes… We know he killed her.

“I just want justice for my daughter. She was beautiful and kind and had the rest of her life to live.”

Statement from Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office shared the following statement:

It is with great sorrow that the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office announces the passing of Deputy Marbella Martinez, who was found deceased on August 1. The Tooele Police Department is investigating her death as suspicious.

“Deputy Martinez was a dedicated member of our Sheriff’s Office family. In her short time with us, she became a cherished friend and an integral part of our team. Her untimely and tragic death is a profound loss for us all,” said Sheriff Rosie Rivera.

Deputy Martinez was sworn in as a Corrections Officer on January 11, 2024, after completing the academy. She quickly demonstrated her commitment and passion for serving the community.

Sheriff Rivera continued, “Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones during this heartbreaking time. We hope that the investigation will provide answers and some measure of justice for our Deputy and her family.”

The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office has mobilized peer support and employee assistance programs to help our team cope with this devastating loss.

Cops are working with federal and state agencies to locate Martinez-Ayala, who is believed to have fled the country with his brother’s ID.

Investigators traced him to Salt Lake City International Airport where he is suspected of dumping his daughter’s cell phone, which was later picked up by police.

He then flew to San Francisco and Houston before fleeing the country, cops claim.

The 54-year-old is facing charges of murder, obstructing justice, stalking, unlawful possession of a bank card, two counts of unlawful use of a bank card, and unlawful possession of someone else’s ID.

MEMORIAL

A celebration of Martinez’s life will be held on Monday at a church in Belize, family members said on Facebook.

“Dear Family and friends, on Monday September 9th, we will be offering a memorial mass for who in this life was Marbella Alexandra Martinez; beloved daughter, aunt, sister and friend,” her family shared.

“We appreciate anyone who is able to join us in celebrating her amazing life.”

“In every life I would choose you my Bella. This void is not filled by anyone. Love you always and forever!!” her sister said on Facebook in tribute to Martinez.

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