A disturbing crime in Georgia has left a family shattered and a community in shock. A 37-year-old man is accused of killing his own mother and then driving away in her car. The case has drawn strong reactions because of the family connection, the serious charges involved, and the tragic life lost.
Accused faces multiple serious charges
Addison Martinez, 37, has been indicted by a Chatham County grand jury on several charges connected to the death of his mother, 59-year-old Vida Martinez. The charges include:
- Malice murder
- Felony murder
- Aggravated assault
- Family violence
- Possession of a knife during the commission of a felony
Law enforcement has made it clear that Martinez is accused of these crimes and the case will ultimately be decided in court. He is currently being held at the Chatham County Jail with no bond.
What happened on Wilmington Island
The incident reportedly happened in late October 2025 at an apartment on Oyster Shell Road on Wilmington Island, around 10 miles southeast of Savannah. According to reports, Vida Martinez was found inside the apartment by her daughter. Police later confirmed that the victim had been stabbed at least once.
The timeline below helps explain how events unfolded:
| Date | Key event |
|---|---|
| Late Oct 2025 | Vida Martinez found deceased in her apartment |
| Same night | Her car discovered abandoned in Pooler, about 20 miles away |
| Oct 28, 2025 | Addison Martinez arrested at a Parker’s gas station |
| This week | Grand jury formally indicted the accused |
Investigators believe the abandoned car played a key role in identifying the suspect and narrowing down the search.
Emotional tributes to the victim
Vida Martinez’s death has deeply affected those who knew her. Her obituary paints a picture of a loving and kind-hearted woman who cared deeply for her family. She was described as:
- A devoted mother and proud grandmother
- A woman of strong faith
- Someone who loved art and beauty
- A person known for generosity, warmth, and optimism
Friends and relatives have shared that she brought joy to people around her and was always ready to help others. These memories have made the loss feel even heavier for the community.
How police tracked down the suspect
After the victim’s vehicle was found abandoned in a commercial parking lot in Pooler, investigators named Addison Martinez as a person of interest. Authorities released a photograph of him that had reportedly been taken by his mother just a day before her death. This image was shared across agencies as part of a wider search effort.
The manhunt ended on October 28, 2025, when Martinez was arrested at a Parker’s gas station in the same general area. He was taken into custody, questioned by police, and initially charged with felony murder before the case moved forward to the grand jury.
A local store employee also told reporters that someone living in the same apartment complex had heard screams on the night of the incident. This detail has added to the seriousness of the investigation and the questions surrounding what exactly happened inside the home.
Past legal trouble raises more concerns
Court records show that just days before the killing, Martinez had been released on bond from jail in Glynn County. He had been facing charges in a separate case involving aggravated assault and terroristic threats. His bond in that case was only $178, and he had already spent around eight months in jail before being released.
This detail has led many people to question whether warning signs were missed and whether more could have been done to prevent such a tragedy.
