Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE COUNTY -- An elderly Salt Lake County woman remains in extremely critical condition as police search for the man they say brutally attacked her. Police say the suspect, 45-year-old Arthel Martin, was one of three men renting rooms from the 86-year-old victim.
"He has some protective orders against him from girlfriends as well as an ex-girlfriend," says Lt. Don Hutson of the Unified Police Department.
Martin, who police say did not have a significant felony record, had lived in the home near 3000 South and 1100 East for about two weeks. Just after 6 a.m. Friday, the other two renters say they heard disturbing noises above them.
"[They] went upstairs to investigate and found the third tenant in the bedroom of the property owner," Hutson says.
The woman was in extremely bad shape from strangulation and other traumatic injuries. She was taken to St. Mark's Hospital.
"She was rushed into surgery, had some bleeding in the brain," Hutson explains.
He says Martin fled the scene in a dark green 1995 Hyundai Sonata with the license plate Z216MN. He is described as 6 feet tall with an athletic build.
Police believe he may still be in the area but say he may have left the state. He's originally from the Midwest.
Detectives are searching the home for any missing items and say they have not yet determined a motive.
Citizens with information about this case are asked to call the Unified Police Department at 801-743-7000.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
