The Victoria Martins Murder: How a Texas Mother Orchestrated Her Daughter's Horrific Death
The chilling case of Victoria Martins shocked Texas in August 2016, forever changing how investigators view domestic crimes. What appeared to be a concerned neighbor's call about smoke led police to an apartment where they discovered the unthinkable—the dismembered remains of 10-year-old Victoria. The crime scene revealed a horrific tableau: smoldering blankets in the bathtub concealing limbs, and trash bags containing human organs in the living room.
At the center of this nightmare stood Michelle Martins, Victoria's 35-year-old mother, alongside her boyfriend Fabian Gonzalez and his cousin Jessica Kelly, a recently released felon. What began as a routine investigation quickly unraveled into one of the most disturbing cases in Texas history. Though Michelle initially presented herself as a grieving mother concerned for her surviving son, detectives soon uncovered inconsistencies in her story that would reveal her true involvement in her daughter's brutal death.
Key Takeaways
What began as a smoke investigation led police to discover the dismembered remains of 10-year-old Victoria in her mother's apartment.
Michelle Martins initially portrayed herself as a grieving mother before detectives uncovered her actual role in the crime.
The presence of dangerous individuals in the household, including a known child abuser, created the perfect storm for this horrific tragedy.
The Horrific Discovery
Time of Incident and Police Intervention
On August 24, 2016, Texas police responded to a concerned neighbor's report about a disturbing situation at an apartment. Upon arrival, officers noticed smoke emanating from the residence and were forced to enter the premises. Inside the bathroom, they found a smoldering blanket that was still releasing fumes. The investigation quickly transformed from a potential fire hazard to something far more sinister. The apartment belonged to 35-year-old Michelle Martins, a mother of two children: Victoria, who had just turned 10 years old the previous day, and her son Matthew.
Body Dismemberment and Collected Evidence
When officers opened the burning blanket, they made a horrifying discovery – it contained dismembered limbs of a young girl. The gruesome findings continued as investigators located a trash bag in the living room containing human lungs and kidneys. The remains were identified as those of Victoria, Michelle's daughter. During the investigation, detectives determined that three adults lived in the apartment: Michelle, her boyfriend Fabian Gonzalez (a repeat offender with prior child abuse charges), and his cousin Jessica Kelly (a recently released felon who had moved in just eight days before the incident). All three were immediately taken into custody as police pieced together the shocking crime scene evidence that pointed to one of the most disturbing cases the department had ever encountered.
Suspects Under Investigation
The Accused Parent's Background
Michelle Martins, 35, presented herself initially as a grieving mother of two children. During police questioning, she described plans for her daughter Victoria's 10th birthday celebration at a local venue with friends and cake. She claimed Victoria enjoyed coloring, mathematics, and gymnastics. Despite her attempts to portray maternal concern, investigators quickly detected inconsistencies in her demeanor and story.
Her protective facade began crumbling during interrogation. "I'm afraid they're going to come back and kill me. I don't even want to stay there," Michelle told detectives, revealing her growing anxiety as questioning intensified.
Household Relationships and Dangerous Residents
The investigation revealed troubling decisions regarding Michelle's living arrangements. Just weeks into a new relationship, she allowed Fabian Gonzalez, a man with a history of misdemeanors and child abuse, to move into her apartment where Victoria lived. Within a month of this arrangement, Fabian brought his cousin Jessica Kelly to live with them as well.
Jessica had recently been released from prison and had a documented history of criminal activity and substance abuse. She arrived at the apartment on August 15, 2016—merely eight days before the crime occurred. These housing decisions demonstrated a pattern of placing vulnerable children in proximity to potentially dangerous individuals.
Conflicting Statements During Questioning
The three adults provided drastically different accounts of what transpired:
Michelle's Account:
Claimed Victoria returned home around 4:30-4:45 PM
Said she checked on Victoria twice
Reported finding Victoria not breathing during the second check
Suggested possible drug poisoning
Initially refused to call police, stating: "There was drugs in the house and I didn't want them to think it was mine"
Jessica's Version:
Described a completely different scenario
Claimed an unknown man came looking for Fabian
Alleged this stranger went to Victoria's room and committed the crimes
Fabian's Statement:
Details of his interrogation were never released to media
His account reportedly contradicted both Michelle and Jessica
As investigators pressed further, Michelle's story began shifting dramatically. The sympathetic approach used by detectives eventually led her to reveal disturbing information about her presence during Victoria's assault, with Michelle eventually acknowledging: "I feel like it is [my fault]," to which the detective responded, "That's how they want you to feel."
The interrogation ultimately exposed how this seemingly normal household had become what investigators described as "the ultimate house of horrors."
Michelle Martins's Interrogation
Detective Techniques and Questioning Strategies
The interrogation of Michelle Martins revealed the methodical approach used by Texas detectives when facing a case of extreme child abuse and murder. Initially, the officers created a comfortable environment, building rapport by discussing Victoria's recent birthday and her interests. "She was your baby," one detective acknowledged, showing empathy while observing Michelle's emotional responses. This tactical compassion served a strategic purpose - establishing trust before probing deeper into inconsistencies.
The detectives alternated between direct questioning and allowing moments of silence, giving Michelle space to voluntarily provide more information. They carefully noted her body language and emotional reactions, particularly when discussing her daughter. When Michelle expressed fear for her own safety, they used this as an opportunity to further explore her concerns rather than immediately challenging her statements.
Defensive Positioning and Blame Shifting
As questioning intensified, Michelle's narrative revealed significant contradictions and strategic blame displacement. She repeatedly emphasized her concern for her son's welfare and her own safety, stating, "I'm afraid they're going to come back and kill me." This deflection technique attempted to position herself as another victim rather than a participant.
Michelle claimed she discovered Victoria wasn't breathing only after Fabian checked on her. When pressed about not calling authorities, she initially cited drugs in the apartment: "I didn't want to call cops because then they probably would have stopped me... I didn't want them to think it was mine because it's not." This justification attempted to minimize her culpability by suggesting her failure to seek help stemmed from fear of drug charges rather than involvement in Victoria's death.
The mother's timeline contained troubling gaps and inconsistencies. She described Victoria coming home from school around 4:30-4:45 PM, then claimed the girl felt tired and went to bed. Michelle insisted she "always checked" on her daughter, yet couldn't provide coherent details about the critical moments before and after Victoria stopped breathing.
Confrontation and Full Disclosure
The breakthrough in the interrogation came when detectives employed a more direct approach, confronting Michelle with contradictions between her account and evidence collected at the scene. When discussing the aftermath of discovering Victoria unresponsive, Michelle revealed disturbing details about disposal plans: "Jessica said we're going to dispose of the body."
Michelle's confession became increasingly graphic as the interrogation progressed. She admitted to being present during horrific acts against Victoria, including sexual assault and dismemberment. "They were cutting her arms off in the bedroom," she eventually disclosed, describing how her daughter had pleaded "stop, stop" during the assault.
The detectives' persistence revealed that Michelle had allowed two dangerous individuals—Fabian Gonzalez, a repeat offender with child abuse history, and his cousin Jessica Kelly, a recently released felon—to move into her home despite the clear risk to her children. Most disturbingly, Michelle's eventual statements confirmed she had witnessed these individuals torturing her daughter but failed to intervene or seek help.
The interrogation ultimately exposed the stark truth behind the case: what appeared initially as a traumatized mother was revealed to be an active participant in one of the most shocking crimes in Texas history.
Victoria: Honoring a Life Cut Short
A Tenth Birthday Never Celebrated
Victoria had just turned 10 years old the day before the tragic events of August 24, 2016. Her mother, Michelle Martins, had planned a celebration at the CL venue for later that day. The gathering was meant to include friends and cake—a simple but meaningful celebration for a young girl reaching double digits. Sadly, Victoria never got to experience this milestone celebration with her loved ones.
The timing of this tragedy, occurring right after her birthday, adds another layer of heartbreak to an already devastating situation. What should have been a time of joy and childhood innocence instead became marked by unimaginable horror.
Passions of a Young Girl
Victoria was a child with diverse interests and talents that reflected her vibrant personality. She particularly enjoyed coloring, demonstrating the creativity common in many children her age. Mathematics stood out as another one of her favorite subjects, showing her intellectual curiosity and academic aptitude at such a young age.
Beyond academics, Victoria had a passion for gymnastics, specifically tumbling. This athletic interest highlighted her energy and physical capabilities. These hobbies—art, academics, and athletics—paint a picture of a well-rounded child whose potential was tragically unfulfilled.
Victoria's interests weren't just activities; they represented the normal childhood experiences that were violently taken from her. Each of these passions offers a glimpse into who Victoria was beyond being a victim—a real child with dreams, talents, and a future ahead of her.
Timeline of Key Events
Victoria's Final Hours
On August 23, 2016, Victoria celebrated her 10th birthday, though the planned party at Chuck E. Cheese was scheduled for the following day. Around 4:30-4:45 PM on August 24th, Victoria returned home from school after initially stopping at a friend's house when she didn't see her mother at the bus stop.
Shortly after Victoria arrived home, Michelle Martin and her boyfriend Fabian left the apartment to visit Fabian's uncle, returning around 4:50-5:00 PM. Upon their return, Michelle noticed something on the table that appeared to concern her.
Victoria reportedly told her mother she was feeling tired and went to her bedroom. Michelle claims she checked on her daughter twice—finding her breathing the first time but not the second. When Fabian later checked on Victoria at Michelle's request, he allegedly informed Michelle that Victoria had stopped breathing.
The Aftermath of the Crime
On the morning of August 24th, 2016, Texas police responded to a concerned neighbor's call and arrived at Michelle Martin's apartment. Officers discovered smoke coming from the unit and forced their way inside, making a horrific discovery.
Inside the apartment, authorities found:
A smoldering blanket in the bathtub containing dismembered limbs
A trash bag in the living room holding human organs including lungs and kidneys
Evidence of attempts to dispose of Victoria's remains
Police immediately took three adults into custody:
Michelle Martin, 35, Victoria's mother
Fabian Gonzalez, Michelle's boyfriend with a history of child abuse
Jessica Kelly, Fabian's cousin who had been released from prison just eight days before the crime
During police interrogation, Michelle initially portrayed herself as a grieving mother but eventually revealed disturbing details about Victoria's final moments. The three adults provided conflicting accounts of what happened, with Michelle claiming Victoria had stopped breathing, possibly from drug exposure, while Jessica alleged a mysterious man had attacked Victoria.
As the interrogation progressed, detectives uncovered the full extent of Michelle's involvement, revealing she had been present during the assault on her daughter and failed to intervene or seek help afterward.
Legal Proceedings
Custody and Initial Charges
Michelle Martins, Fabian Gonzalez, and Jessica Kelly were all taken into custody immediately following the discovery of Victoria's remains in the apartment on August 24, 2016. The three adults faced serious charges related to the horrific crime against the 10-year-old girl. Police were first alerted to the scene by a concerned neighbor who noticed smoke coming from the apartment. Upon arrival, officers discovered the dismembered remains of Victoria, who had just celebrated her birthday the day before the discovery. Investigators quickly determined that all three adults living in the apartment had potential involvement in both the crime and subsequent attempt to dispose of evidence by burning remains in the bathtub.
Interrogation Revelations
The police interrogation of Michelle Martins revealed deeply disturbing details about the case. Initially presenting herself as a grieving mother, Martins claimed she found her daughter unresponsive and didn't call authorities because of drugs in the apartment. As questioning continued, inconsistencies in her story became apparent. Detectives employed a strategic approach, first showing empathy to build rapport before gradually uncovering the truth.
During the recorded session, Martins eventually disclosed her presence during her daughter's assault. Her demeanor shifted between emotional distress and calculated responses. When asked directly about her involvement, she provided increasingly incriminating information that contradicted her earlier statements about simply finding her daughter unresponsive.
The interrogation video showed how detectives skillfully navigated through Martins' changing narrative, ultimately getting her to acknowledge more significant involvement than she initially admitted. Her statements about Victoria crying "stop, stop" during the assault particularly disturbed investigators and provided crucial evidence for the prosecution's case.
Reaction to the Interrogation Footage
The release of Michelle Martins' interrogation footage shocked Texas residents and law enforcement officials alike. The graphic details revealed during questioning painted a picture of extraordinary betrayal - a mother who failed to protect her child in the most fundamental way. Investigators described it as one of the most disturbing cases they had encountered in their careers.
Public response to the footage was one of horror and disbelief. Community members organized vigils for Victoria, expressing collective grief over the child's suffering. The interrogation revealed troubling facts about Martins' decision-making, including allowing Fabian Gonzalez, a man with a history of child abuse, to move into her home just weeks into their relationship.
Law enforcement officials noted that the contradicting statements from all three suspects complicated the investigation. While Martins' account suggested a drug overdose followed by panic, Jessica Kelly claimed an unknown man had attacked Victoria. These conflicting narratives required careful examination by prosecutors building their case against all three defendants.
