close
close

23-year-old man arrested in connection with murder of 82-year-old Vermont neighbor

Posted on by angelo
23-year-old man arrested in connection with murder of 82-year-old Vermont neighbor

A 23-year-old man faces a murder charged after police found his 82-year-old neighbor dead.

Darren Martell was charged Thursday with aggravated murder in connection with the killing of Roberta Martin, according to NCNMartell lived next door to the victim in Enosburgh, Vermont.

The family reported Martin missing on July 17 after going to her home to check on her and she was not there.

Vermont State Police said Sunday that officers found human remains in the woods near Martin’s home. An autopsy confirmed it was that of the 82-year-old woman, the report said.

Police have not yet said how the woman died.

Roberta Martin was found dead in the woods near her Vermont home. Darren Martell has been charged with her murder.
Roberta Martin was found dead in the woods near her Vermont home. Darren Martell has been charged with her murder. (Vermont State Police)
Authorities believe Martell broke into Martin's residence and sexually assaulted the victim before killing her.
Authorities believe Martell broke into Martin’s residence and sexually assaulted the victim before killing her. (Vermont State Police)

According to Messenger of Saint AlbansAuthorities believe Martell broke into Martin’s residence and sexually assaulted the victim before killing her.

When his family arrived home, they found the air conditioning removed from the window and still running.

Martell was charged Thursday while in custody. He had been in custody since Monday, when he was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct after police allegedly found him touching himself on the side of a footpath near a school, according to NECN.

If convicted, Martell faces life in prison.