When Leticia Martinez-Cosman asked Brett Gitchel out on a date to watch the Seattle Mariners baseball game at T-Mobile Park on March 31, she had no idea she would never see her family again.
As a single mother and primary caregiver for an adult son with special needs, Leticia, 58, rarely went out in the evenings, People Magazine reports. However, as a die-hard Mariners fan, she allowed herself to decompress at the ballpark.
After meeting Gitchel, 46, in a food court of a big box store a few weeks before their date, the two quickly discussed their mutual admiration for the Mariners and Leticia offered to take him to the next game.
Leticia took a selfie of herself and Gitchel at the game to document their evening, but she never returned home that night, according to her brother Ricardo Martinez.
Mr. Martinez also reported the disappearance of his older sister on April 2.
According to People Magazine, an investigation revealed that Gitchel allegedly kidnapped Leticia’s son from the family’s West Seattle home hours before he disappeared.
Gitchel allegedly drove his son to a remote area of Renton, Washington, where he allegedly attempted to strangle and murder him before the young man managed to escape and call for help.
Seattle Department of Corrections
Shortly after, Leticia’s burnt-out car was discovered, but the woman was nowhere to be found. Authorities determined that his car was intentionally set on fire.
It wasn’t until two weeks later that his remains were found in a ditch in Renton. She had been strangled to death, authorities report to People Magazine.
Accused of the murder of Leticia, Gitchel was arrested on April 5. He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping in the case of Leticia’s son and not guilty to Leticia’s murder.
2023-05-12 13:17:07
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