The sleepy town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, was left in shock after a teenage son and his father were arrested for allegedly killing the teen’s mother in her own home.
Chrystal Snow, 38, made a 911 call around 2:20 a.m. on July 2 and was found dead on her bathroom floor from three close-range gunshot wounds.
He Colorado Bureau of Investigation He has now arrested Snow’s son, Hevon Martinez, 17, and his father, Charles Martinez, 43, on first-degree murder charges in connection with Snow’s death.
Investigators said the couple preemptively planned the mother’s death.
The father and son had been tracked driving between Cortez, where they lived, and Pagosa Springs, where Snow lived, between July 1 and 2.
Charles Martinez (pictured with Chrystal) was last seen with the couple’s five-year-old son days after Snow’s murder. He had recently filed a police report against Charles Martínez and Hevon Martínez for violating a protective order he had against them.
Charles Martinez (pictured) is charged, along with his 17-year-old son Hevon, with Snow’s alleged murder.
According to investigators, Charles Martinez, who they believe was driving the vehicle at the time, had removed his license plates and left his cell phone at home.
The affidavit also revealed that Hevon Martínez had turned off his cell phone when they were near his mother’s house, the Denver Gazette reported.
According to the outlet, the document stated that “individuals involved in pre-planned homicides often take steps to limit law enforcement’s ability to track their whereabouts during the time of the homicide.”
Days after her murder, Snow’s five-year-old son also disappeared.
The missing boy, Helliono Martinez, was last seen with the boy’s father, Charles Martinez, on July 16 after Snow’s murder.
The couple was seen heading to the father’s house, where Martínez’s truck was found with no sign of the boy or his father.
Chrystal Snow, 38, was found dead in her home with three gunshot wounds after a 911 call was made around 2:20 a.m.
Five-year-old Helliono Martinez was last seen with the boy’s father, Charles Martinez, on July 16 after Snow’s murder. It was later reported that he was found on July 25.
Investigators had indicated a “recent violent history” regarding custody of the youngest children they shared.
Charles Martinez appeared in court Tuesday and Hevon’s court dates are not available as he is still considered a minor. Hevon was already in custody on separate charges.
On July 25, Helliono was found and in the care of the Department of Human Services, according to the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators had indicated there was a “recent violent history” between Snow and Martinez over custody of the younger children they shared.
Snow had recently filed a police report against Martinez and his son for violating a protective order he had against them, the Denver Gazette reported.
Hevon Martínez was already detained on suspicion of illegal possession of a firearm; he had allegedly fired a .45 caliber pistol at a vehicle just five days after his mother’s death.
The teenager had said in a statement to the court that one of the reasons he should be released was to support his family after the death of his mother, the court reported. Herald of Durango.
Havon is being tried as an adult separately from his father, according to 6th Judicial District Attorney Sean Murray, the Denver Gazette reported.
TO GoFundMe was created for the people in Snow’s life in a tribute to the late mother.
‘He had a huge heart and wanted to change the world. She was the biggest advocate for women in need. “He loved helping ‘his families’ and really cared about the people in his life,” the fundraiser said.
A celebration of his life took place in July, organized by friends.
Charles Martinez appeared in court Tuesday.