2 arrested in death and dismemberment of Colorado woman who disappeared in 2019

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (TCN) -- Authorities recently arrested two people in connection with the death and dismemberment of a missing 51-year-old woman whose remains have not yet been found.

According to an Oct. 15 press conference held by Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly, in August 2019, Kimberly Bell was reported missing by her sister, but investigators found very little information or evidence surrounding her disappearance. Weekly said the cold case team took over the investigation in 2021.

Officials later learned that on July 22, 2019, Javier Martell and Jennifer Bremer, who were known to Bell, were inside her vehicle at a parking structure. Per an indictment reviewed by KUSA-TV, Bremer allegedly worked with Bell, and they had lived together. Martell and Bremer reportedly dated at the time. According to KUSA, they were driving around in a rental car to shop for a new car after Bell had totaled her previous vehicle.

Weekly said Martell "became enraged" with Bell, put his arm around her, and pulled her from the driver’s seat into the back seat. Martell reportedly told Bremer to get into the driver’s seat and drive as he continued to choke Bell. The sheriff said Martell took a break for a moment before "finishing the job" and allegedly choking Bell until she died.

Bremer purportedly testified and said she asked Martell if he killed Bell to which he replied, "I guess I did."

Following Bell’s death, Weekly said Bremer and Martell drove around the Denver area with Bell’s body. KUSA reports that Bremer used Bell’s credit card at one point to purchase gas for the rental car.

According to Weekly, the suspects also drove to a Home Depot, and Martell purchased an ax. Martell and Bremer then drove to a remote location, where Martell allegedly dismembered Bell’s body, placed the parts into trash bags, and put them into the rear of the vehicle. Weekly said Martell and Bremer disposed of the trash bags in a dumpster near a veterinarian clinic, but investigators have not yet located them.

According to the sheriff’s office, Martell has been charged with murder, while Bremer faces a charge of being an accessory.