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TOOELE — Tooele police are investigating a "suspicious death" after a 25-year-old Salt Lake County sheriff's deputy was found dead in her home last Thursday.
Marbella Martinez, 25, was found Thursday morning in the area of 1220 E. 970 North, according to Tooele Police Cpl. Colby Bentley. He said officers responded to the home about 8:20 a.m. after someone called in a welfare check.
Investigators have labeled the woman's father, Hector Martinez, 54, as a person of interest and are trying to locate him, Bentley said. He declined to say what evidence — beyond his relation to Marbella Martinez — led to Hector Martinez being named a person of interest.
Bentley said investigators are still waiting on results from the medical examiner's office but detectives found evidence on the scene that "starts to point us in a certain direction," leading detectives to label the death as suspicious. He also said Marbella Martinez's age and apparent good health also raised "some red flags for us."
"Pretty quickly, any well-trained detective will be able to pick out some things that would automatically raise some red flags and some suspicion for us," Bentley said.
He said investigators believe the situation to be "targeted" and there isn't any ongoing threat to the public.
Tooele police are working with other local and federal law enforcement agencies to locate Hector Martinez, according to Bentley.
Marbella Martinez was a deputy with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, and a statement from the department described her as a "dedicated member" of the sheriff's office family."
"In her short time with us, she became a cherished friend and an integral part of our team. Her untimely and tragic death is a profound loss for us all," Sheriff Rosie Rivera said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones during this heartbreaking time. We hope that the investigation will provide answers and some measure of justice for our deputy and her family."
The release said Marbella Martinez was sworn in as a corrections officer on Jan. 11, adding that it didn't take long for her to demonstrate her "commitment and passion for serving the community."
This story may be updated.
