Oxford, United Kingdom – A woman in Oxford has been convicted of the murder of a man who was found dead in the River Cherwell after a night out. The jury found Scarlet Blake guilty of killing Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, in July 2021. Martin Carreno had drowned after being struck in the head and strangled.
Four months prior to Martin Carreno’s death, Blake had live-streamed herself killing and dismembering a cat, blaming her ex-partner for the gruesome act. The trial revealed Blake’s disturbing obsession with death and harm, influenced by a Netflix documentary about a killer who tortured animals.
Videos shown during the trial depicted Blake and her partner engaging in disturbing acts of consensual strangulation with ligatures, giving insight into her violent inclinations. Blake was seen approaching Martin Carreno in CCTV footage, carrying a backpack containing murder implements before leading him to a secluded area where she carried out the fatal attack.
During the trial, Blake claimed to have falsely confessed to Martin Carreno’s murder due to pressure from her ex-partner to escalate their violent acts after the cat incident. She described a fabricated scenario involving a garrotte and disposal of the body in a river, creating a fiction that authorities later debunked.
As the case unfolded, shocking details emerged about Blake’s fragmented personality, including moments of identifying as a cat and meowing during the trial. The jury deliberated over the evidence before unanimously convicting Blake of murder.
The victim’s family released a statement through Thames Valley Police, expressing their profound grief over the loss of Martin Carreno. Detective Superintendent Jon Capps commended the family’s dignity and strength throughout the investigation, highlighting the rare, chilling nature of the crime and emphasizing the pursuit of justice for the victim.
The verdict brought closure to a complex and harrowing case, underscoring the devastating impact of senseless violence on families and communities. The tragic loss of Martin Carreno serves as a reminder of the need for accountability and protection from such heinous acts. The community continues to mourn his untimely passing, seeking solace in the pursuit of justice for his memory.