RENTON, Wash. — Homicide detectives investigating the disappearance of Leticia Martinez discovered a body in Renton Tuesday afternoon as part of that investigation, according to the Seattle Police Department.
Seattle police did not disclose the identity or gender of the body that was found but said it was an adult. It is unknown how long the body was at the location or how detectives discovered it.
The exact location of the body was also not provided by police.
The King County Medical Examiner's Office will confirm the identity of the deceased and the cause and manner of death.
The Seattle Police Department said Martinez was last seen at T-Mobile Park for the Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Guardians game on March 31.
The man who attended a Mariners game with Martinez before she went missing, Brett Michael Gitchel, 46, was charged on Monday for allegedly trying to kill Martinez's son and burning her vehicle.
Gitchel faces charges of attempted murder in the first-degree and first-degree kidnapping for allegedly attempting to strangle Martinez's son. He also faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, first-degree theft and second-degree arson.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office asked the court on Monday to set Gitchel's bail at $5 million.
Gitchel was taken into custody on April 4 at a Costco after he was identified by an employee for wearing the same clothes and matching the description as a suspect in a theft incident the day before.
Probable cause documents show he had numerous cuts and bruises. Police took his clothes for evidence and while doing so, saw what appeared to be blood on the inside of his right shoe.
During his interview, Gitchel initially denied having gone to a Mariners game recently or knowing Martinez. Police said Gitchel admitted to both going to the game and knowing Martinez after being shown a picture of her.
Gitchel faces new charges Wednesday for unrelated burglary
Gitchel is facing new charges in an unrelated crime that happened just days before Martinez disappeared.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Gitchel with second-degree burglary after stealing items from a garden shed and trying to break into a West Seattle home.
According to charging documents, the burglary happened five days before prosecutors said he reportedly kidnapped and tried to kill Martinez’s son, then set her car on fire.
Court documents show Gitchel was seen on surveillance footage entering the backyard of a West Seattle home around 11:45 p.m. March 27 and entering numerous times until 1:05 a.m. March 28th.
In reports, police said Gitchel first entered without a mask on then noticed the cameras and came back with a medical mask on.
Police report Gitchel was wearing a distinctive two-toned Mariners hooded sweatshirt with teal on the hood and shoulders. He’s also seen wearing black-rimmed glasses.
Documents said Gitchel is seen manipulating the camera before ultimately removing them, but a remaining camera captured a clear image of him.
Gitchel also reportedly cut the cable to the inside of the home.
The homeowner reported to police he saw Gitchel walking around the area the day before.