The Murder of LeAnne Martinez
Warning, this case does talk about sexual assault.
For this case, I watched an episode of Murder Comes Home. It’s season 1 episode 3, titled ‘Red Mustang.’
A 22-year-old single mother is found dead in her home after a night out.
Background
LeAnne Martinez was born in 1980, in Taos, New Mexico. Her family described her as funny, outgoing, brutally honest, and caring. They also said
LeAnne was extremely hardworking, and worked hard to earn money for her dream car, a 2001 red Ford Mustang. This was LeAnne’s pride and joy, until the birth of her daughter, Estrella, in March 1999.
LeAnne and Estrella were inseparable, and LeAnne was willing to do whatever it took to make a good life for her and her daughter.
LeAnne Martinez
LeAnne, with her daughter, Estrella, and her red Mustang
The Discovery
On July 13, 2002, LeAnne had a night off from work. She asked her mom, Emilie, to babysit Estrella, and dropped her off around 5 or 6pm.
LeAnne and her friend Julie had planned to go to a nearby town called Española, for the fiestas. They drove around for awhile before returning home in the early morning hours. LeAnne was supposed to pick Estrella up the next morning, but she never showed up.
Emilie tried to call LeAnne, but there was no answer. Later in the day, on June 14, they drove over to her home. LeAnne’s beloved red Mustang was not there.
Emilie entered the home, and walked down the hallway to the bedroom. She looked in, and saw a body. She ran out immediately, and the police were called.
A Brutal Crime
The police immediately learned from the family, that LeAnne’s car was missing, and that she would have never let anyone drive it.
There was no sign of forced entry into the home, and no sign of a robbery. On the table in the living room, the police found a half eaten TV dinner. There was bloody heel print in the kitchen, leading to the bedroom.
LeAnne’s nude body was found at the foot of her bed. She had only been wearing a single sock on her right foot. Her hands were over her head, as if she was surrendering. LeAnne had been stabbed multiple times, and had injuries to her neck and chest.
Nothing had been stolen from LeAnne’s home or from her purse that had been dumped out on her bed. The police believed LeAnne had been sexually assaulted, and that she knew her killer, due to the lack of forced entry. Her body was sent in for an autopsy.
The Boyfriend
A BOLO (be on the lookout) was put out for LeAnne’s car.
The police learned from LeAnne’s family that LeAnne had been dating a man named Ashton. They hadn’t been too fond of him, and had tried to convince LeAnne to break up with him.
LeAnne’s friend Julie was interviewed. Julie said she and LeAnne went into Española, until she received a call from Ashton. They drove to his home, and talked to him from the car. Julie said that LeAnne was angry at Ashton because he had been smoking marijuana, and it led to an argument, so they left around 2:30am.
Ashton was interviewed. His story matched Julie’s, but he didn’t give the police any more useful information, so he was released.
The Break-Ins
The police learned from LeAnne’s sister, Valerie, that LeAnne’s home had been broken into several times before her death.
On one occasion, her hairspray, toothbrush, and deodorant was stolen. The second time, her stereo was stolen. The final time, only some beef jerky had been stolen from the kitchen.
The police believed that the killer could’ve been caught by LeAnne, and that’s why she was killed. However, the autopsy revealed that LeAnne’s murder was brutal. The stab wounds had penetrated her heart, and she had been sexually assaulted. The killer did leave behind his DNA.
The police wondered if LeAnne’s murder had been connected to another woman’s murder. Marioara Shand, had been killed a week before LeAnne. The crime scenes were similar, as both women had been stabbed, and lived about 1-2 miles apart. The police didn’t find any connection between the two, and soon learned that the crimes hadn’t been connected.
The Tips
A few days later, a neighbor of LeAnne’s named Joseph, said that he had seen a man walking to LeAnne’s home on the night of the murder. He had heard his dog barking, and went to the window to look out. Joseph said he saw a Hispanic man, about 5’9-5’11”, 200 pounds, wearing a beige colored plaid shirt, walk about 5 feet from his bedroom window. Joseph also described the man as having a shaved head. It didn’t match the description of Ashton.
The police also received a call about LeAnne’s car. It had been found near a middle school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Inside the car, CSI technicians found traces of blood and several fingerprints were lifted.
LeAnne’s story had spread all over the news and media. It led to many tips, but only one stood out to the police. A woman named Dawn had contacted them. She said she had gone to junior high and high school with LeAnne.
Dawn said that her cousin, Richard Fresquez, had arrived at her home unexpectedly, on June 14. Richard had shown up in a new red Mustang, and said he had borrowed it from a friend.
Dawn also told the police that Richard had been wearing “dingy old tennis shoes,” and had commented that he needed new ones. Richard went out shopping with Dawn, and her boyfriend, and bought new ones. He threw away the old ones at her home when they returned.
Dawn said the next morning, Richard drove away in the Mustang, and told her that he was going to California, where he had family.
The Evidence
The police searched through the trash at Dawn’s. They found the old tennis shoes, which had blood on them, as well as the beige colored shirt that Joseph had described. The shirt also had blood on it.
Richard Fresquez was no stranger to the police. He had been arrested on burglary charges. During these burglaries, he had stolen food, which seemed to match one of the items that had previously been stolen from LeAnne’s.
An APB (all points bulletin) was put out for Richard. It was reported to California law enforcement agencies, and Richard’s photos were plastered all over the news and media.
Richard’s home was searched. Inside, they found photos of Richard at LeAnne’s home during a social gathering.
On July 20, 2002, Richard Fresquez, was found in Palm Desert, California.
The Arrest and Conviction
Richard was interrogated, and asked about LeAnne’s car. Richard said he had been out partying with friends, and that one of his friends had given him the car. Richard tried to move the suspicion off of him, and onto another person.
The police didn’t believe him, and tried a new tactic. Richard told them that he had ditched the car because he had found out he was a suspect. He admitted to being friends with LeAnne, but said he had been out partying at a place called Gorge Junction.
The police confronted Richard about the evidence against him. Richard then asked for a lawyer, and pled not guilty.
At trial, Richard’s defense was that he and LeAnne had consensual sex. He claimed that they had a fight afterwards, and that things had gotten out of hand.
The jury didn’t believe him. They deliberated for 3 hours, and found him guilty of first degree murder, aggravated burglary, second degree criminal sexual penetration, tampering with evidence and unlawful taking of a vehicle.
Richard Frequez was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
LeAnne’s family is so afraid that with the help of House Bill 564, which would give Richard the chance to be up for parole every two years, that he will someday be let out of prison.
Richard Fresquez
FINAL THOUGHTS
LeAnne’s family said it best: Richard is a monster. He deserves to spend every moment of his life behind bars. He not only took a woman from her family, but left a young girl without a mother. LeAnne’s daughter said she barely has memories of her mom, which is heartbreaking. I don’t know what I would do if I didn't have either one of my parents. It definitely made me tear up.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/leanne-martinez-murder-where-is-richard-fresquez-now/
https://www.koat.com/article/family-of-murder-victim-fears-her-killer-could-be-set-free/26635109#
