Georgia Man Accused of Stabbing Mother to Death at Wilmington Island Home, Then Stealing Her Car
WILMINGTON ISLAND, GEORGIA — A Georgia man is facing a slate of murder and family-violence charges after authorities say he stabbed his mother to death inside her apartment and then stole her vehicle, triggering a multi-agency manhunt that ended with his arrest the following day.
According to an indictment returned by a Chatham County grand jury, Addison Martinez, 37, is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony in the killing of his mother, Vida Martinez, 59.
Woman Found Fatally Stabbed Inside Apartment
The killing occurred in late October 2025 at an apartment on Oyster Shell Road on Wilmington Island, a community located about 10 miles southeast of Savannah.
On the night of the incident, Vida Martinez was discovered inside her home by her daughter, according to local reporting. Authorities said the victim had suffered at least one stab wound, a finding confirmed by both the Chatham County Police Department and the county coroner’s office.
Investigators quickly determined the death was a homicide and began working to reconstruct the victim’s final hours.
Victim Remembered as Devoted Mother and Grandmother
An obituary released after her death described Vida Martinez as a deeply devoted mother and grandmother, known for her generosity, optimism, and faith.
She was remembered as a lover of art and beauty, someone who brought laughter and warmth to those around her, and a woman whose grandchildren were her greatest joy.
Family members have not publicly commented beyond those remembrances.
Victim’s Car Found Abandoned Miles Away
Later that same night, officers located Vida Martinez’s vehicle abandoned in a commercial parking lot in Pooler, roughly 20 miles northwest of Wilmington Island.
That discovery proved pivotal. Police said it helped identify Addison Martinez as a person of interest, prompting a wider search.
Authorities circulated a photograph of the suspect—reportedly taken by his mother the day before her death—as law enforcement agencies canvassed the region.
Witnesses Report Hearing Screams
During the investigation, a witness came forward with troubling details. An employee at a nearby store told local media that a friend who lived in the same apartment complex heard screams coming from the victim’s residence on the night of the killing.
“They had a friend who lived in the same apartment complex and had actually heard screams from the interaction with the victim,” the employee said.
Police have not publicly detailed what investigators believe happened immediately before the fatal stabbing.
Suspect Arrested After Manhunt
On October 28, 2025, one day after Vida Martinez’s body was found, Addison Martinez was arrested at a Parker’s gas station in the same general area, authorities said.
He was taken into custody without incident, questioned by investigators, and initially charged with felony murder. Additional charges were later added following grand jury proceedings.
Recent Release From Jail Raises Concerns
Court records show that just five days before the killing, Addison Martinez had been released on bond from a jail in Glynn County.
In that separate case, he faced charges of aggravated assault and terroristic threats and acts, according to local reports. His bond in that matter was set at $178, and he had spent eight months in jail prior to his release.
Prosecutors have not said whether that prior case will factor into sentencing arguments if Martinez is convicted in the current case.
Defendant Held Without Bond
Addison Martinez is currently being held at the Chatham County Jail with no bond, court officials confirmed. His next court appearance has not yet been publicly scheduled.
The investigation remains active as prosecutors prepare to move the case forward.
As the Wilmington Island community grapples with the loss of Vida Martinez, the case has renewed attention on family violence and repeat interactions with the criminal justice system. For continued updates on major court cases, violent crime investigations, and public safety news from Georgia and across the country, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.