SAVANNAH, Ga. — A man from Chatham County is facing multiple charges, including murder, after authorities say he fatally attacked his mother in her home, sending shockwaves through the close-knit community of Wilmington Island.
Addison Martinez, 37, was indicted on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, following the tragic death of his mother, 59-year-old Vida Martinez. The incident took place in her apartment on Oyster Shell Road in late October.
Authorities reported that the situation unfolded on Wilmington Island, roughly 10 miles southeast of downtown Savannah. Family members discovered Vida Martinez unresponsive in her apartment on the evening of October 27. Early investigations revealed she had sustained multiple stab wounds.
Chatham County police, in collaboration with the coroner’s office, quickly identified Addison Martinez as a key suspect. Investigators found Vida’s abandoned vehicle the following evening in Pooler, about 20 miles from her residence, a crucial lead in understanding the sequence of events leading to the alleged crime.
As the investigation progressed, law enforcement released an image of Addison taken just a day before the incident, heightening the urgency in locating him. Various agencies joined forces for a manhunt, scouring neighborhoods and businesses for traces of the suspect.
Addison Martinez was apprehended the next day at a nearby gas station. Witnesses reported hearing screams coming from Vida’s apartment complex on the night she was killed, which raised alarms among neighbors and prompted additional inquiries.
Initially taken into custody on charges of felony murder, the recent indictment expands the list of offenses as authorities continue to unearth more details. Investigators have yet to disclose a potential motive for the homicide.
Court records show that Addison Martinez had been released from Glynn County Jail only five days before the incident, where he had been held for eight months on charges of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. He secured his release on October 22 after posting a bond of $178.
Family and friends remember Vida Martinez as a compassionate individual who held steadfast beliefs and a passion for art. They described her as a loving mother and grandmother, emphasizing the positive influence she had on those around her.
Currently, Addison Martinez is being held at the Chatham County Jail without bond as prosecutors prepare their case. The investigation remains open as authorities seek to clarify the circumstances and motivations surrounding this heartbreaking event.