LAKE CITY, Fla. — A man from Columbia County has been indicted for first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of his girlfriend nearly two years ago. Investigators say Aaron Hokanson, 60, allegedly killed 61-year-old Martina Lundy in late May 2024 after she threatened to inform authorities about his troubling behavior related to child sexual abuse material.
The indictment represents a significant advancement in a case that has captivated local residents and raised numerous questions about Lundy’s fate. Over the past month, prosecutors upgraded the murder charge against Hokanson from second-degree to first-degree after a grand jury was presented with compelling evidence, including a detailed sworn complaint, phone records, and testimonies from family members. Hokanson remains in custody at the Columbia County Jail without the possibility of bond.
Authorities have not located Lundy’s body, yet they argue that the existing evidence is substantial enough to support their case. Assistant State Attorney Sean Crisafulli emphasized that Lundy’s strong connections to her family and her predictable routines undermine any suggestion that she left voluntarily. “She was a devoted family member, not someone who would simply vanish,” Crisafulli stated.
Lundy was reported missing on June 4, 2024, by her granddaughter after several days without contact. Though she had lived with Hokanson on SW Carpenter Road for about two years, their relationship had reportedly grown increasingly contentious before her disappearance. The sworn complaint suggests that Lundy had begun to question Hokanson’s sexuality and had documented several heated exchanges. On one occasion, she confronted him regarding accusations involving child exploitation materials.
Just prior to her disappearance, Lundy informed her brother that she had recorded Hokanson admitting to viewing disturbing content “at least 100 times.” These revelations intensified tensions between the couple, leading Lundy to indicate she would report him to both his family and law enforcement.
Investigators believe that Lundy’s threat to expose Hokanson was a key motivation for his alleged actions. Following her accusations, evidence suggests that Hokanson destroyed his cellphone and laptop, deleting critical search history related to pornographic content. Prosecutors have not separately charged him regarding the alleged images but assert that this circumstantial evidence is vital to the murder case.
Hokanson is suspected of killing Lundy in the early hours of May 30, 2024. The last known communication from her was a voicemail left for her daughter at 2:23 a.m., in which she confronted Hokanson. Subsequently, data shows that Hokanson started his vehicle at 7:22 a.m., a crucial timeframe that investigators are scrutinizing for more details regarding Lundy’s disappearance.
The following day, Lundy’s granddaughter visited the home to find her grandmother absent, despite their plans to attend a wedding together. Hokanson’s explanation—that Lundy had left in a fit of anger—was met with skepticism by family members, who noted that such behavior was out of character for her.
Investigators discovered that the last signal from Lundy’s phone was traced back to the home she shared with Hokanson. They also uncovered suspicious text messages allegedly sent from her phone after she disappeared, suggesting she needed some time away, which authorities believe were fabricated to mislead others into believing she left voluntarily.
Compounding these suspicions, police found that a significant amount of cash remained untouched in a bank safe-deposit box, further contradicting Hokanson’s claims. Family members noted that Lundy would not have abandoned her responsibilities or her pets.
As the legal proceedings get underway, Hokanson is awaiting trial, with the state needing to establish that Lundy’s disappearance was a result of foul play rather than a self-imposed exile. A judge has denied his request for pretrial release, citing the serious nature of the charges and the troubling evidence against him.
With the case progressing, the prosecution is preparing for several legal steps, including hearings to review evidence related to phone records, recordings, and other materials that may link Hokanson to the alleged crime. For Lundy’s loved ones, the journey through the judicial system remains a painful intersection of hopes for justice and the ongoing search for answers regarding her disappearance.