25-year-old pregnant woman killed in Lodi stabbing is identified; 16-year-old is arrested
Teen did not appear to know mother before party, police say
Teen did not appear to know mother before party, police say
Teen did not appear to know mother before party, police say
A 25-year-old pregnant woman was stabbed to death in Lodi and her boyfriend was wounded following a house party over the weekend, police said.
A 16-year-old female was arrested in connection with the case, Lodi police said Monday afternoon. She will be booked into the Peterson Juvenile Hall on a homicide charge.
Officers found the pregnant victim, Jessie Martinez, with a stab wound around 12:06 a.m. Sunday on the 2000 block of Eagle Place near East Century Boulevard, the Lodi Police Department said. She died at the scene despite lifesaving measures by authorities.
Martinez was about four months pregnant and her unborn baby died as well. The case is being investigated as a double homicide as a result, police told KCRA 3.
A 22-year-old man was also found with a non-life threatening laceration to the head, Lodi police said. Police told KCRA 3 that the man was Martinez's boyfriend and the unborn child's father. He was treated at a local hospital and then released and is not considered to be a suspect.
Family of Martinez told KCRA 3 that the mother leaves behind a 2-year-old child. Martinez's boyfriend is also the father of that child.
Police said the attacks do not appear to be random. It seems to have stemmed from a series of disturbances or altercations throughout the night at the residence during a house party.
Savannah Avalos lives a few homes down from Martinez.
“When I heard about it, it made me pretty sick, especially her being pregnant,” Avalos said. “I didn’t know how far along she was.”
Living her with her mother for over a decade, she said nothing like this has ever happened on their small block.
Patty Garner Starr used to own the home where Martinez and her boyfriend live, but sold it in 2010.
She drove by Monday when she heard the news.
“I’m very, very sorry that this happened,” she said, through tears.
It also does not appear that the teen knew the mother or father, police said.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding this homicide to contact the Lodi Police Department at 209-333-6727 or Det. Blythe at 209-333-5545 or ablythe@lodi.gov. You can also contact the Lodi Area Crimestoppers at 209-369-2746 or www.369crime.com to remain anonymous.
There does not appear to be an active threat to the community but there will be additional patrols in the area over the next several days, police said.