Tooele, Utah • The father of a Salt Lake County’s Sheriff’s Office deputy found dead last month has been charged with her murder, calling the crime an “unforgivable sin” in a text to a family member before leaving the country.
Hector Ramon Martinez-Ayala, 54, was charged with multiple counts in the death of his daughter, Marbella Martinez, including Murder, Stalking and Obstructing Justice.
The body of 25-year-old Martinez, who had been a corrections officer with the department, was found at the Tooele home she shared with family during a welfare check on Aug. 1. Her death was ruled to be suspicious, and her father, Martinez-Ayala, was named a person of interest.
According to the indictment, it’s believed Martinez-Ayala killed his daughter on July 31. The cause of death was ruled to be homicide from strangulation.
Investigators said text messages between Martinez-Ayala and Marbella were “more of the nature of a jealous lover than a father,” and that his behavior towards his daughter had become “increasingly troublesome” as he had become “obsessed and controlling” with her.
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