TOOELE, Utah, Aug. 5, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Police are investigating the “suspicious” death of a Salt Lake County sheriff‘s deputy.
Marbella Martinez, 25, was found dead about 8:20 a.m. Thursday inside her home near 1220 East and 970 North, Tooele City Police Cpl. Colbey Bentley said. Officers had gone to the home on a welfare check.
Police determined Martinez’s death to be suspicious, and her body was taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, Bentley said.
Based on evidence collected at the Tooele home, Martinez’s father, Hector Martinez-Ayala, 54, has been identified as a suspect in the case and remains at large, according to police.
The father and daughter had been living together at the home, Bentley said. Tooele police are working with federal and state agencies to locate Martinez-Ayala, he said.
Martinez had been working with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer since Jan. 11.
“Deputy Martinez was a dedicated member of our Sheriff’s Office family,” Sheriff Rosie Rivera said. “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.”
Martinez quickly demonstrated her commitment and passion for serving the community, according to the sheriff’s office.
“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,” Rivera said.
The sheriff’s office has mobilized its peer support and employee assistance programs to assist those struggling with the loss.
Gephardt Daily will update this story as more information becomes available.
