Colorado Father and Son Charged with Murdering Teen’s Mother Over Custody Dispute
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A 43-year-old father and his 17-year-old son have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of the teen's mother, just hours after she informed them of her intent to file for full custody of her younger son, according to local authorities.
Charles Martinez and his son, Hevon Martinez, were arrested following a four-month investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the July 2 homicide of 38-year-old Chrystal Snow.
According to an arrest affidavit, both Charles and Hevon pleaded with Snow over the phone on the evening of July 1, urging her not to proceed with the custody filing scheduled for the next day. Investigators allege that the father and son then drove to Snow's residence in the early hours of July 2 and fatally shot her.
"Charles and [Hevon] were both aware that Chrystal was preparing to file paperwork at court the following day, related to her petition for full custody," the affidavit states. "Charles and [Hevon] both made one last attempt to convince Chrystal not to go to court and file for full custody."
Multiple witnesses informed CBI agents about conversations they had with Snow on the night of the homicide, during which she allegedly recounted threats from Charles and Hevon. Witnesses claimed both had made verbal threats to kill her in the past.
At approximately 2:20 a.m., neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots coming from Snow's residence. Investigators believe Charles and Hevon drove to the home in a white Ford Explorer belonging to Charles's mother. Evidence suggests at least one gunshot was fired from outside the house through the front living room window before they entered.
"The victim appeared to have fled to the bathroom of the master bedroom, where she was confronted... and shot multiple times," the affidavit says.
Despite her injuries, Snow managed to call 911. First responders arrived to find her deceased. She had suffered gunshot wounds to her upper right arm, upper right chest, and right leg. A spent cartridge casing was found near her body.
Surveillance footage allegedly shows Charles and Hevon traveling on local roads to and from the crime scene in the white Ford Explorer. Interviews with witnesses and a domestic violence victim advocate who had been in contact with Snow provided additional evidence against the pair.
The victim advocate detailed allegations of domestic abuse and threats by Charles and Hevon dating back to October 2023. Snow had filed a protection order after Hevon allegedly "put his hands on her throat" and "threatened to kill her," claiming the abuse began in February 2023.
Charles was also accused of threatening to murder Snow in her sleep during their 18-year relationship. The advocate stated that Snow told her, "Charles said he would come in the middle of the night to kill her and that a protection order was just a piece of paper," according to the affidavit.
In June, Snow was granted a permanent restraining order against Charles for verbal abuse and harassment after their split in October 2023, as reported by The Denver Post.
"It is clear, based on evidence and information obtained thus far in the investigation, that the homicide of Chrystal was a pre-planned event by both [Hevon] and Charles," the affidavit concludes.
Hevon was arrested on July 7 for an unrelated incident in which he allegedly fired a .45 caliber handgun at a vehicle during a Fourth of July event in Cortez, Colorado.
Charles Martinez is being held on a $2.5 million bond. Hevon Martinez was already in custody for separate charges, but he will be charged as an adult
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Charles Martinez and his son, Hevon Martinez, were arrested following a four-month investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the July 2 homicide of 38-year-old Chrystal Snow.
According to an arrest affidavit, both Charles and Hevon pleaded with Snow over the phone on the evening of July 1, urging her not to proceed with the custody filing scheduled for the next day. Investigators allege that the father and son then drove to Snow's residence in the early hours of July 2 and fatally shot her.
"Charles and [Hevon] were both aware that Chrystal was preparing to file paperwork at court the following day, related to her petition for full custody," the affidavit states. "Charles and [Hevon] both made one last attempt to convince Chrystal not to go to court and file for full custody."
Multiple witnesses informed CBI agents about conversations they had with Snow on the night of the homicide, during which she allegedly recounted threats from Charles and Hevon. Witnesses claimed both had made verbal threats to kill her in the past.
At approximately 2:20 a.m., neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots coming from Snow's residence. Investigators believe Charles and Hevon drove to the home in a white Ford Explorer belonging to Charles's mother. Evidence suggests at least one gunshot was fired from outside the house through the front living room window before they entered.
"The victim appeared to have fled to the bathroom of the master bedroom, where she was confronted... and shot multiple times," the affidavit says.
Despite her injuries, Snow managed to call 911. First responders arrived to find her deceased. She had suffered gunshot wounds to her upper right arm, upper right chest, and right leg. A spent cartridge casing was found near her body.
Surveillance footage allegedly shows Charles and Hevon traveling on local roads to and from the crime scene in the white Ford Explorer. Interviews with witnesses and a domestic violence victim advocate who had been in contact with Snow provided additional evidence against the pair.
The victim advocate detailed allegations of domestic abuse and threats by Charles and Hevon dating back to October 2023. Snow had filed a protection order after Hevon allegedly "put his hands on her throat" and "threatened to kill her," claiming the abuse began in February 2023.
Charles was also accused of threatening to murder Snow in her sleep during their 18-year relationship. The advocate stated that Snow told her, "Charles said he would come in the middle of the night to kill her and that a protection order was just a piece of paper," according to the affidavit.
In June, Snow was granted a permanent restraining order against Charles for verbal abuse and harassment after their split in October 2023, as reported by The Denver Post.
"It is clear, based on evidence and information obtained thus far in the investigation, that the homicide of Chrystal was a pre-planned event by both [Hevon] and Charles," the affidavit concludes.
Hevon was arrested on July 7 for an unrelated incident in which he allegedly fired a .45 caliber handgun at a vehicle during a Fourth of July event in Cortez, Colorado.
Charles Martinez is being held on a $2.5 million bond. Hevon Martinez was already in custody for separate charges, but he will be charged as an adult
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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