NESPELEM, Wash. — A man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after he allegedly confessed to killing his girlfriend and her 17-year-old son on the Colville Reservation. The incidents reportedly occurred Thursday, leading to a chilling 911 call that shocked dispatchers and law enforcement officials.
Damian Todd Martinez contacted authorities, claiming that he had just murdered his girlfriend, who he accused of infidelity, along with her son, Anthony Dick. Martinez, however, did not provide documentation to substantiate his allegations of cheating, details that are critical to understanding the motive behind these tragic events.
Upon arrival at the scene, Colville Tribal Police found Martinez covered in blood and discovered the two victims inside the residence. Reports indicate that Martinez confronted Dick in his bedroom, waking him from sleep before fatally stabbing him in the neck. Following the attack on the teen, Martinez awaited the return of the woman, who remained unaware of her son’s fate.
When the girlfriend arrived home around 6 p.m., Martinez engaged her in a confrontation about the cheating allegations. As the discussion escalated, he reportedly approached her while she sat on the couch and stabbed her multiple times. The couple had been in a long-term relationship, though Martinez acknowledged they were not legally married. He described his role as a “father figure” to her children.
The couple had another child, a daughter, who was not present during the incident. Investigators have been left to ponder what might have happened had she been home. Martinez’s troubled history includes previous incidents of violence against the woman, which raises questions about the dynamics within their relationship.
Martinez remains in custody as investigators continue to delve into the circumstances surrounding these deaths. The emotional toll of the double homicide has reverberated throughout the community, leading to heightened concerns about domestic violence and its far-reaching consequences. The case remains open as authorities seek further information and closure for the families affected.