Woman recalls brutal attack in WVC apartment


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WEST VALLEY CITY — A Utah woman said she fought for her life as a family friend viciously attacked her in her own home.

The attack happened in October at Hailey Dering's West Valley City apartment. She said a man she's known for years tried to kill her, but her son and a plea on social media saved her life.

Dering said she was fooled by a friend, George Martinez, who needed a place to stay. She said she was happy to help, but the kind gesture turned into a near fatal encounter.

"He got evicted for money issues and we let him stay here a couple of nights," she explained.

Dering said Martinez was a perfect house guest for the three weeks she had allowed him to stay with her until the morning of October 25.

"He was very gracious, helped around the house, helped with my son," she said. "(I) just asked him to help me change a light bulb and had my back turned. Next thing I knew I was just on the floor."

Confused and in pain, Dering knew she had been hit and turned around and saw Martinez.

"He started walking toward me and I saw the hammer in his hand," she said. "He said, 'I have to kill you because I have no place else to go.'"

In sheer shock, she said Martinez just "snapped," brutally beating her with the hammer.

"He started grabbing sheets and stuff trying to smother me," she said. "Part of me was like PTSD. Is he thinking I'm someone else?"

The struggle continued until she begged him to stop for her son's sake, she said.

"I just said, 'Think about Kai, George, think about that child,'" she said.

George Martinez Jr. Photo: Salt Lake County Jail
George Martinez Jr. Photo: Salt Lake County Jail

Dering said that made Martinez snap out of it. He apologized and left with her keys, car and money, according to Dering. Unable to find her phone and too afraid to leave, she ran to her laptop. She sent out dozens of messages for someone to call 911 with her address. Someone saw the message and called police for help.

Two days later police arrested Martinez. He was charged with aggravated kidnapping, assault and robbery.

Dering said she still can't believe her trusted friend tried to kill her. She said Martinez kept telling her he wanted to go to prison, and that's why he did it.

Martinez's spent time in Utah State Prison for attempted murder in 2002.

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Nicole Vowell

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