SAVANNAH, GA – Family and friends of Vida Martinez are grappling with shock and grief after the 59-year-old was found dead in her Wilmington Island apartment, the victim of an attack that authorities say was committed by her own son.
Chatham County sheriff’s deputies responded to the late October incident after a family member discovered Martinez’s body at her home on Oyster Shell Road, located a short drive southeast of Savannah. Investigators determined she had suffered at least one stab wound in what they describe as a violent assault.
The loss has devastated Martinez’s loved ones, who remember her as a devoted mother and grandmother. According to those close to her, Martinez was known for her boundless optimism and generosity, offering a helping hand to neighbors and spreading joy to those who knew her. She embraced her role as the family’s cornerstone, celebrating life’s everyday moments and surrounding herself with art and beauty.
That tight-knit circle was shattered after the events of October 27, when Martinez’s daughter discovered the grim scene. Police quickly began searching for Martinez’s car, which led them roughly 20 miles northwest to Pooler, where officers located the abandoned vehicle in a commercial parking lot later that night.
Detectives soon identified Addison Martinez, 37, as the primary suspect. He is now facing several charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. An indictment was handed down by a Chatham County grand jury earlier this week.
Investigators circulated a photograph of Addison taken the day before the incident as a multi-agency manhunt extended through the Savannah area. Local officers, working with state law enforcement, combed neighborhoods and distributed alerts in an effort to locate the suspect.
On October 28, authorities tracked down Addison Martinez at a gas station not far from where his mother’s body was discovered. He was taken into custody without incident and questioned by police.
According to law enforcement, a resident living in the same apartment complex as Vida Martinez reported hearing screams on the night of the attack, prompting additional security measures and patrols in the area as detectives pieced together the timeline of events.
Court records indicate the alleged killer had recently been released from jail. Five days prior to his mother’s death, Addison Martinez posted bond in Glynn County, where he faced charges of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. He had spent eight months in custody before being freed on a $178 bond.
As the legal process continues, Addison Martinez remains held without bond at the Chatham County Jail. The investigation has left a once-vibrant family mourning the loss of a woman described as a beacon of faith and kindness in her community.
Authorities did not disclose a possible motive for the attack. The case remains under investigation.