Three arrested in connection with National City murder

Two men and a woman have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old man who was found dead at a National City hotel last month, police said.

Officers were called to the Ramada on National City Boulevard shortly after 6 a.m. on October 21, where they found Kendall Allen with visible stab wounds in a hotel walkway. Allen died before he could be taken to a hospital.

Police used surveillance video and other resources to identify three suspects, National City Police Lt. Anthony Ybarra said. One was a guest staying at the hotel, he said.

Officers arrested 36-year-old Michael Anthony Jackson on October 22, the day after the victim’s body was found. Jaen Avilia, 29, was arrested on October 30, while Priscilla Martinez, 28, was taken into custody last Thursday.

All three are being held on suspicion of murder. Martinez also faces charges of assault, drunken driving and child theft in unrelated cases, according to jail records. Jackson is also being held on suspicion of parole violation.

Police said the victim knew Martinez, but they are unsure if he knew the other two suspects. Few details have been released about the case and officers have not disclosed a motive.