Hundreds Gather To Remember 5 Killed In Modesto Home
MODESTO (CBS13) — Hundreds gathered at a candlelight vigil on Monday to remember the five people who were killed in Modesto over the weekend.
Three children and two mothers were killed, and police say they may not have been the suspect's first victims.
Modesto Police revealed on Monday that Martin Martinez is also suspected in the murder of a toddler in October.
As the sun set on the Modesto park, dozens took turns sharing memories of Dr. Amanda Crews' dedication to her patients and medicine, as well as her children—6-month-old Rachel and 6-year-old Elizabeth.
The children's nanny says Crews stayed away from Martinez after her son, 2-year-old Christopher Ripley, died in October.
Modesto Police say that nine months before Martinez was suspected in the deaths of five victims in the Nob Hill home, he was a prime suspect in Ripley's murder. Police investigators learned last week that Ripley suffered blunt force head trauma while under Martinez's care.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Chief Galen Carroll defended his department waiting months before issuing an arrest warrant.
"What took nine months is, as many of you know, homicide investigations do take a great deal of time," he said. "You only have one shot in making an arrest or making that case and you want to make sure that you do that properly."
Martinez is accused of killing ex-girlfriend Crews, their baby daughter Rachel, Crews' daughter Elizabeth, and his own mother Anna Brown Romero. A 5-year-old girl was also among the dead, who may have been a relative.
Police went to the home on Saturday after a family friend called concerned that Crews didn't show up to a meeting.
Crews was married and divorced. Her ex-husband posted picture on his front door of his children, saying they "died by the hand of Mr. Martinez."
For now, residents who trained under Dr. Crews are distraught and suspicious of Martinez.
"It's going to take me some time to forgive him and pray for his soul," said Gayan Gunasekara, who was a resident under Crews.
Police say they aren't releasing the cause of death as the investigation is still underway.