Florida State News by Betty Smith
A beloved great grandmother was killed by her daughter's boyfriend, whom she had previously helped out, just hours after celebrating her 93rd birthday with her family.
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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and homicide detectives provided an update on the murder of 93-year-old Dolores Padilla Marrero, who was found at St. Joseph Garden Court retirement community.
Mrs. Marrero, a devout Catholic and someone who "always helped others," helped the criminal accused of killing her.
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According to records, Javier Rosado Martinez, 54, was dating one of Marrero's daughters.
Investigators say video surveillance shows Martinez arriving at the secure senior apartment complex that evening. He was unable to enter the building until another resident allowed him in.
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When the deceased is elderly, homicide detectives are normally not notified, but the responding uniformed patrol officers noticed things in the room that appeared "very suspicious."
The medical coroner determined that Marrero died as a result of strangulation and blunt force trauma to the torso.
Detectives discovered a necklace medallion in the shape of a horn inside Marrero's room. In addition to that horn, other evidence in the room pointed back to the suspect. On the basis of a detailed description, police said Martinez was easily identified by his unique build. Marrero's daughter claimed her boyfriend always wore the horn wrapped in the shirt next to the deceased great-grandmother's body.
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Martinez was arrested at a residence where a number of items linked to the homicide were found.
Martinez is described as a "moocher" and a "transient" who would "go anywhere he can for a shower or a place to eat."
Police say he did not confess but admitted he blacked out from drugs, perhaps crystal meth. Authorities say that the evidence recovered in the case has brought closure to the family.