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Police Arrest Relative, Girlfriend In Gage Park Massacre

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police have arrested two people in connection with the slaying of a family of six in the Gage Park neighborhood three months ago.

It was Feb. 4 when police discovered the bodies of 62-year-old Noe Martinez Sr.; his wife, 58-year-old Rosaura Martinez; their son, 38-year-old Noe Martinez Jr; their daughter 32-year-old Maria Herminia Martinez; and her two sons, 13-year-old Leonardo Cruz and 10-year-old Alexis Cruz.

Charged with six counts of murder each are Diego Uribe, 22, whom police said was Maria Martinez's cousin; and his girlfriend, Jafeth Ramos, 19. Both were expected in bond court Friday.

suspects
Diego Uribe, 22, right; Jafeth Ramos, 19. (Chicago Police Department)

Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said the crime began as Uribe's attempt to rob his family, but it turned a multiple homicide. Because none of the victims were bound or restrained, investigators suspected they had known their killer or killers. DNA test results this week and cell phone records confirmed the participation of Uribe and Ramos, Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Eugene Roy told reporters at a news conference. Both suspects gave statements about their involvement in the crime, he said.

Gage Park Victims
Source: GoFundMe

The victims' bodies were found throughout the family bungalow in the 5700 block of South California after a friend of Noe Martinez Jr. told police that the O'Hare Airport window cleaner hadn't showed up for his job for two days.

"For CPD officers and detectives, it became personal," Johnson said of the gruesome crime that wiped out three generations. "They were a family like any other that went to work, went to school, loved each and abided by the law.

"In my 28 years, I haven't seen a case that has hit as close to home for myself and so many others in this department than what was discovered on that cold Thursday afternoon in February."

Autopsy reports showed Leonardo Cruz suffered a dozen knife wounds to the head, cheek, neck and shoulder. His body was found prone near a fireplace in the living room, with his school supplies laying nearby.

Noe Martinez Sr. suffered 42 knife wounds to his chest, neck, hand, leg, and groin. His body was in a front hallway. A pocketknife was near his body, but the reports don't say whether it was used in his killing.

Alexis Cruz, Noe Martinez Jr., and Rosaura Martinez all died of multiple stab wounds. Alexis was found on a rug in the basement near a book bag holding a binder of drawings. Noe Jr. was found 5 feet from Herminia, his sister, with his head resting on a forearm. Their mother, Rosaura, was in an enclosed porch.

Maria Herminia Martinez was the only victim who was shot. She died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators have said three bladed weapons were used in the slayings. None of the bladed weapons have been recovered, and neither has the gun that killed Maria Herminia Martinez. Although a gun was found in the home, it was not used in the slayings.

Police have said they don't think any of the victims was involved in crime. The doors to the house were locked, and the contents were undisturbed. Sources have said detectives were investigating the possibility that the killings involved a domestic situation.

At one point, the baffling mystery even gave rise to rumors that Mexican drug cartels were involved in the crime. Police later ruled out that idea.

Neighbors expressed relief at the murder charges Thursday, but shock that a relative may have been behind the deaths.

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