Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"Very few clues were found by those scouring the island." — Britt
"While decapitation is in and of itself universally fatal, the remainder of the body in this case was not available for examination, and therefore potential causes of death involving the torso and extremities cannot be excluded." — Autopsy Report Excerpt
"Please understand that homicide basically means that someone's death was caused by someone else. That means that the death could have been intentional, or it could have been unintentional. For example, in this case, someone running over someone with a boat while the person was in the water, etc." — CID Special Agent Steven Chancellor
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the perplexing case of U.S. Army Specialist Enrique Roman Martinez, who went missing during a camping trip on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on May 23, 2020. The initial report to 911 described a friend, Martinez, as missing after the group awoke. The subsequent investigation by park rangers and later the U.S. Army revealed a complex scenario, compounded by the remote location and challenging weather conditions. The discovery of partial human remains on Shackleford Banks, confirmed to be Martinez's through dental records, escalated the situation from a missing person case to a homicide investigation.
The autopsy reports, despite extensive examination of the recovered remains (primarily the head and cervical spine), were unable to definitively determine the exact cause of death due to the absence of the rest of the body. However, both initial and subsequent autopsies concluded that the manner of death was homicide, citing significant trauma including chop injuries, a broken jaw, and a fractured cervical spine, inconsistent with accidental causes like animal attacks or boat propellers. This conclusion was a point of contention, particularly for Martinez's family, who learned of the homicide ruling through media reports.
The investigation has been marked by a lack of transparency from the Army, with limited official updates and a substantial reward offered for information. Despite extensive efforts, including numerous interviews, warrants, and searches yielding significant digital and physical evidence, no direct evidence or testimony has been found to connect anyone specifically to Martinez's murder. The episode highlights the family's ongoing efforts to seek justice, including petitions and legal funds, and the possibility of the case being re-examined by the Department of Defense's Inspector General.