Isabel Martinez was born in Michoacán, Mexico, in 1984, though her exact birthdate remains unknown. Growing up in the small town of Benito Juárez, she was raised by her mother, María Elena Martínez. Her early years and family background are largely a mystery, but the town offered her a modest upbringing, shaping her into the resilient individual she would become.
At 20, Isabel Martinez crossed the U.S. border illegally, seeking a better life. Soon after her arrival, she began a relationship with a man whose identity remains unknown. Together, they had a daughter, Isabel, born in 2007. However, her partner abandoned them, leaving Isabel to raise her daughter alone. As a single mother, she worked hard to support herself and her child.
A New Chapter with Martín Romero
Isabel’s life took a positive turn when she met Martín Romero in Atlanta, Georgia. A hardworking construction worker originally from Michoacán, Martín quickly bonded with Isabel, and their friendship blossomed into a loving relationship. After marrying, Martín became a father figure to young Isabel, and the couple soon welcomed more children: daughters Diana and Dakota Monserrat, and sons Dylan Martín and Axel Oliver. Eventually, they settled in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Loganville, a small mobile home community in Georgia, seeking new job opportunities.
In Loganville, the family enjoyed a close-knit life, often gathering with Martín’s relatives. Martín, known for his love of singing and sports, especially martial arts, was a cherished family man. Isabel Martinez was a devoted wife and mother, always caring for the children and preparing for Martín’s return from work. Sandra Romero, Martín’s cousin and Isabel’s close friend, described the couple as a typical family that celebrated birthdays, spent weekends with loved ones, and embraced each day as a gift.
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In June 2017, Isabel suffered a devastating loss when her father passed away in Mexico. Unable to attend his funeral due to her undocumented status, Isabel Martinez’s grief deepened, eventually leading her into a profound depression. Recognizing her struggle, Martín supported her by taking her to a specialist, who prescribed antidepressants. Concerned about potential side effects, Martín administered one pill a day instead of the prescribed two, genuinely wanting to help his wife through her pain.
To lift Isabel’s spirits, Martín organized a trip to Savannah for the Fourth of July, where the family enjoyed time at the beach. They returned home on July 5, ready to resume their routine, with Martín even calling a cousin to confirm he would be returning to work the following day.
The Early Morning of July 6, 2017
On the morning of July 6, 2017, a call came into Gwinnett emergency services at 4:47 AM. Speaking in Spanish, a woman identified as Isabel Martinez reported a horrific crime. She confessed to the unimaginable—taking the lives of her husband and children. When officers arrived at the scene, they were met with a heartbreaking sight. Martín lay lifeless in the main room, while the children—ten-year-old Isabel, seven-year-old Dakota, four-year-old Dylan, and two-year-old Axel—were found in a bedroom. Despite severe injuries, paramedics found nine-year-old Diana Romero alive, rushing her to the hospital in critical condition.
Isabel Martinez was found nearby, wounded from self-inflicted cuts and sitting with religious items, clutching a Bible. Authorities took her into custody after treating her injuries. Later that day, police released a statement expressing their horror and sorrow over the tragedy. The crime had a profound impact, not only on the victims’ family but also on neighbors and the entire community, who were left struggling to understand the devastating events that unfolded in their quiet neighborhood.
In the wake of the horrific incident, neighbors and the local community were left in disbelief, struggling to understand what could lead a mother to harm her own family. Expressions of shock and prayers for the recovery of the sole survivor, nine-year-old Diana, echoed throughout the neighborhood. Moved by the tragedy, locals set up a memorial outside the family’s home, leaving flowers, candles, toys, and heartfelt messages in memory of the lives lost. Neighbors described the family as close-knit and loving, with the children often seen playing outside or riding bikes in the community park.
News of the incident quickly spread, capturing national and international attention. Media outlets provided extensive coverage, with headlines recounting the family’s heartbreaking fate. Community members shared their memories with reporters, recounting the warmth and joy the family had brought to the area, despite having only recently moved in.
Court Appearance and Erratic Behavior
On July 7, Isabel Martinez attended her first court hearing in Gwinnett County, facing five counts of intentional homicide, five counts of murder, and six counts of aggravated assault. During the hearing, Isabel displayed erratic behavior—smiling, gesturing with her thumbs in victory signs, clasping her hands in prayer, and even pointing at the judge. As the charges were read, Isabel shook her head and responded through an interpreter, claiming she did not need a lawyer.
She stated that “those she was fighting for” were defending her. She also declared herself a representative of the hardworking and burdened, expressing her belief that “with God’s help, all things are possible.” Despite her statements, the judge advised her to seek legal counsel, recommending she accept a public defender.
On the same day, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Isabel Martinez, identified as María Isabel Martínez from Mexico, was undocumented. Meanwhile, young Diana remained in critical but stable condition at a pediatric hospital, where she underwent surgery to treat multiple stab wounds. To support Diana’s recovery and cover the funeral costs of her father and siblings, a relative launched a fundraising campaign, quickly gathering donations that nearly met the $50,000 goal.
Diana’s recovery was slow, and she faced both physical therapy and psychological counseling to help process the trauma. On July 12, Diana was informed she was the only survivor in her family. She was briefly allowed to leave the hospital to attend her father and siblings’ funeral. Through the assistance of the Mexican Consulate and a migrant repatriation program, the remains of the family were returned to Michoacán, Mexico, where a funeral mass was held in Ciudad Hidalgo. The family members were laid to rest in San Jose Cemetery, allowing friends and relatives to say their final goodbyes.
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Diana’s Account of the Events
In the following weeks, Diana bravely recounted the traumatic events to child protection services and investigators. She revealed how her mother, Isabel Martinez, had taken a knife and attacked her siblings in their sleep before turning to her. Isabel reportedly expressed love and remorse before inflicting wounds on Diana, who pleaded for her life. Diana described how her mother then woke Martín to show him the tragic scene before attacking him as well. Calm and methodical throughout, Isabel Martinez’s demeanor terrified Diana. Once the events had transpired, Isabel moved her children’s bodies to a bedroom, arranging them side by side on a bed before calling emergency services.
After being discharged from the hospital, Diana moved in with her uncle, Antonio Romero, Martín’s brother, and his family in Atlanta. There, Diana continued to receive counseling to help cope with her trauma and loss. Isabel’s mother, María Elena Martínez, devastated by the news, later shared that she had first learned of the tragedy through social media, speaking about her sorrow from her home in Mexico.
Isabel’s mother, María Elena Martínez, revealed that Isabel Martinez, along with two of her sisters, had long faced mental health challenges, with Isabel suffering from a nerve-related condition. María Elena believed that this could help explain her daughter’s erratic behavior after the tragic events.
Court Proceedings and Arraignment
On April 16, 2018, Isabel Martinez returned to court for her arraignment at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center. Although she had initially confessed, Isabel entered a plea of not guilty through her attorney, claiming an unidentified family friend was responsible for the murders. On the same day, the district attorney confirmed to local media that they would not pursue the death penalty, given Isabel Martinez’s apparent mental health issues.
As more details emerged, friends and neighbors painted a different picture of Isabel’s mental state. Witnesses shared that Isabel Martinez had been deeply affected by her father’s death, slipping into periods of sadness and sudden outbursts of anger. In conversations with a family services worker, Isabel reportedly expressed feeling haunted by a demonic presence while at the beach during a family trip to Savannah. One of Martín’s cousins recounted that Isabel had hinted at wanting to offer her children’s lives in exchange for her father’s return. Family members also recalled Isabel’s desire to “put everyone in the house to sleep,” suggesting a deep struggle with grief and possible psychosis.
Two weeks before the tragedy, Isabel Martinez visited a priest, expressing fears of being pursued by evil forces. The priest reportedly assured her that she was experiencing hallucinations. Investigators later found medication prescribed for severe depression in her home, confirming her ongoing mental health concerns. Specialists in forensic psychiatry and maternal mental health who examined the case suggested that Isabel might have been experiencing a psychotic episode or other serious mental disorder. They noted that mothers who commit acts of filicide often suffer from severe psychiatric conditions, and some may even believe they are acting in their children’s best interest.
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Trial and Sentencing
In 2019, Isabel went to trial without the possibility of the death penalty. On April 24, she pleaded guilty but mentally ill to multiple charges, including five counts of murder, one count of aggravated assault, and one count of child cruelty for her actions against her daughter, Diana. The judge sentenced Isabel Martinez to five consecutive life terms for the murders of her husband, Martín Romero, and their children.
Additionally, she received 21 years for the assault and child cruelty charges related to Diana’s injuries. Isabel Martinez would be eligible for parole after 30 years, but if released, she would immediately face deportation due to her undocumented status. After sentencing, she was transferred to a mental health facility, though her current location remains unconfirmed as of November 2024.
Diana, the sole survivor, began her path to healing at her uncle Antonio’s home in Atlanta. Antonio shared that although it was a challenging time, Diana seemed to be adapting, playing with her cousins and even showing interest in making jewelry. Family members remain hopeful that with continued support and therapy, Diana will be able to move forward and build a fulfilling life despite the trauma she endured.
