A New Yorker, Cory Martin, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder and dismemberment of 26-year-old Brandy Odom, a crime allegedly inspired by the television series. Right. Federal prosecutors stated that Martin, 37, conspired to profit from Odom’s death by taking out fraudulent life insurance policies in his name, hoping to evade capture by emulating criminal techniques he observed on shows like Right and The first 48.
In addition to the life sentence, a federal judge in Brooklyn imposed a concurrent 20-year sentence for wire fraud and a consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. According to US Attorney Breon Peace, Martin viewed Odom as a means to make money. “He trafficked her for commercial purposes and then killed her with his own hands so he could profit from her death,” Peace said, calling the act a “horrific, cold-blooded crime” driven by greed. AP News.
Odom, a sex worker at the time, lived with Martin in Queens. Prosecutors revealed that in 2017, Martin and an accomplice took out two life insurance policies in their names. A year later, Martin allegedly strangled her to death in her bedroom. The crime arose when a cadaver dog detected Odom’s scent in one of Martin’s vehicles, leading authorities to discover evidence against him.
Before the murder, Martin had reportedly searched for a “Dewalt 12-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw” on Home Depot’s website and had searched YouTube for instructional videos on how to use the saw blade, prosecutors stated. Martin’s accomplice testified during the trial that the chainsaw was used to dismember Odom’s body in the bathtub. Together, they purchased cleaning supplies to help cover up the crime, and Odom’s dismembered body was later found dumped in a Brooklyn park.
After disposing of Odom’s remains, Martin and his accomplice attempted to profit from the fraudulent life insurance policies, but were unsuccessful. In 2020, they were arrested, and after a two-week trial, a federal jury convicted Martin in March of this year.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace emphasized law enforcement’s role in uncovering Martin’s attempt to cover up the crime using TV crime show tactics. “The defendant believed he could thwart law enforcement and cover up this heinous crime by relying on murder television shows, but police investigative efforts brought him to justice,” Peace said.
Odom’s mother, Nicole, spoke with CBS New Yorkremembering her daughter as a kind and gentle person who “had no enemies.” Her tragic death and Martin’s manipulation of their relationship for financial gain left a profound impact on her family and community. doBS News He attempted to contact Martin’s attorneys for comment but did not receive a response.