SAVANNAH, GA – A Chatham County man is facing a series of serious charges after authorities say he fatally stabbed his mother and fled in her car, leaving the tight-knit Wilmington Island community in shock.

Addison Martinez, 37, was indicted this week on charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. The accusations stem from the death of his 59-year-old mother, Vida Martinez, inside her apartment on Oyster Shell Road in late October.

Authorities said the incident unfolded on Wilmington Island, about 10 miles southeast of downtown Savannah. According to law enforcement reports, Vida Martinez was discovered by her daughter on the evening of October 27. A preliminary investigation determined the victim suffered at least one stab wound.

Chatham County police, along with the county coroner’s office, noted the nature of the crime and quickly directed their attention to Vida’s son as a key suspect. The following night, officers located the victim’s abandoned vehicle in Pooler, roughly 20 miles from her home. This discovery was crucial in piecing together the events surrounding the killing.

Investigators shared an image of Addison Martinez, reportedly taken by his mother just a day before her death, as the search for the suspected killer intensified. Multiple agencies participated in a manhunt, canvassing neighborhoods and commercial areas for any signs of the suspect.

The next day, October 28, police apprehended Addison Martinez at a Parker’s gas station not far from the scene. According to employees working in the area, there were reports of screams coming from Vida Martinez’s apartment complex on the night of her death, which may have alerted neighbors and strengthened suspicions.

At the time of his arrest, Martinez was initially charged with felony murder. The indictment handed down this week expands those charges as the investigation continues. Law enforcement officials have not released details regarding a possible motive.

Records reveal that just five days before the fatal stabbing, Addison Martinez had been released on bond from the Glynn County Jail. Court documents show he was previously held on charges of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. After spending eight months in jail, he was released on October 22 on a bond set at $178.

Vida Martinez is remembered by family and friends as a woman of deep faith, generosity, and a love for art. Her loved ones recalled her positive outlook, her role as a caring mother and grandmother, and the lasting impact she had on those around her.

Addison Martinez currently remains in custody at the Chatham County Jail without bond, as prosecutors prepare their case. The investigation into the circumstances and motivation behind the crime remains active.