WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT: Victoria Martens was strangled to death on her birthday and dismembered, with her remains partially wrapped in a burning blanket
Emilia Randall GAU Writer
08:00, 24 Nov 2025
Victoria was sexually abused
In a deeply disturbing case of child abuse, a 10-year-old girl was strangled to death on her birthday before her body was dismembered and set alight.
Victoria Martens was sexually abused by her mother, an autopsy revealed months after police discovered the horrific crime scene. Officers responding to a 999 call about a domestic dispute found little Victoria’s remains partially wrapped in a burning blanket at Michelle’s home in 2018, according to ABC7Chicago.
Michelle, 35, her boyfriend, 31-year-old Fabian Gonzales, and Gonzales’ cousin, 31-year-old Jessica Kelley, were arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in grievous bodily harm or death, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The couple claimed Kelley attacked them with an iron that night.
Her mother walked free in October
All entered not guilty pleas in the state’s court, but Michelle admitted to one count of child abuse resulting in death. At the time, Michelle claimed Victoria was given alcohol and methamphetamine “to calm her down so [Fabian Gonzales and Jessica Kelley] could have sex with her”.
She subsequently retracted this statement, and an autopsy indicated there was only alcohol in her system, and not enough to cognitively impair her. Authorities claim that Michelle Martens stood by as Fabian Gonzales allegedly raped and murdered her daughter, reports the Mirror.
According to court documents, Gonzales and his cousin, Jessica Kelley, are accused of dismemberment. Gonzales has denied any involvement, with his solicitor, Tom Clark, stating: “It’s tragic that this little girl was killed, but my position is Fabian Gonzales played no role in her death.”
Alcohol was found in the ten-year-old’s system
Gary Mitchell, the solicitor for Michelle Martens, said he had received the post-mortem results and that “some of that information in there we think is very beneficial to us and our defence.”
Mark Earnest, Kelley’s solicitor, declined to comment. Search warrants suggest that Michelle sought men online to assault her daughter, telling investigators she had allowed at least three men to abuse her daughter.
The Albuquerque police have not identified any of these men. Michelle accepted a plea deal on one count of child abuse resulting in death in 2018.
Michelle Martenwas sentenced to 12 years in prison
Nine charges against Fabian Gonzales, including second-degree murder and criminal sexual penetration, were dropped, and he was ultimately only charged with child abuse resulting in death and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 37-and-a-half years in prison and will be eligible for parole after serving half that sentence.
Michelle was handed a 12-year prison sentence, but was released on 14 October. Kelley admitted to several charges including reckless child abuse resulting in death and was given a 44-year sentence in 2022.
However, she is anticipated to serve less than half of her sentence.