NC - Fort Bragg Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez, 21, Cape Lookout, 23 May 2020 *severed head washed ashore*

[Curiosity1234]

Prayers for peace and healing for the family and relatives of Enrique Roman Martinez.

 

[mlhenn]

Prayers for peace and healing for the family and relatives of Enrique Roman Martinez.

I can’t begin to imagine how the family is feeling right now as they are going through such a difficult time.

 

[mlhenn]

911 call for Fort Bragg missing soldier Enrique Martinez released

I’m curious! I wonder what the minor infraction was that caused rangers to interact with the group of friends earlier that day?

“Five hours before they reported him missing. They had already saw the rangers and didn’t say anything.”

Cape Lookout’s pubic information officer B.G. Horvat confirms the exchange.

Horvat said, “As far as I know, they ran into them earlier that day for a minor infraction—the group. And they were not stopped to go look for Mr. Enrique at that point.”

 

[cvaldez1975]

Sounds like the friends at the camp site know more than they're offering up. My guess, accidentally decapitated in a vehicle accident and remains disposed of in the ocean.

this makes sense.

 

[cvaldez1975]

was it ever mentioned that the remains were only the head? i only gathered that it was partial remains that included the head

they said partial remains and he was ID by dentals. so sounds like the head. although could have been more.
his sister also said the family wanted the rest of him back.

 

[cvaldez1975]

QUICK QUESTION(S)
Sorry about the nature of this question up front!

When describing a dismembered body or referring to a body that has been dismembered, do you agree/disagree that it would mean:
•the body is missing/no longer has one or more limbs (legs and/or arms)?
or
•not only limbs but possibly other portions of the body (ex head)?

And, do you agree/disagree dismembered body and partial remains mean the same thing (as in can be used interchangeably)?

i feel like it means the body came apart by purpose or accident. when a body decomposes and limbs or head come off that is more like disarticulated.

 

[Curiosity1234]

they said partial remains and he was ID by dentals. so sounds like the head. although could have been more.
his sister also said the family wanted the rest of him back.

Oh, so sad to hear the sister said the family wanted the rest of him back. Really hits home as to how little of him they may have actually found.

 

[mlhenn]

911 call for Fort Bragg missing soldier Enrique Martinez released

Griselda says they are waiting for a second DNA test to be confirmed before they move forward with funeral plans.

Is this protocol? Did the family request a second DNA test?

 

[Curiosity1234]

911 call for Fort Bragg missing soldier Enrique Martinez released

Griselda says they are waiting for a second DNA test to be confirmed before they move forward with funeral plans.

Is this protocol? Did the family request a second DNA test?

I wonder who requested second DNA test. Family maybe ? They don't trust results. I wouldn't either given he enlisted and this is what happened.

 

[CluelessWonder]

I saw the following information about how visitors get to the island.

There are three main types of ferries. Large passenger ferries operate out of Beaufort and Harkers Island. Small passenger ferries are used by the services from Ocracoke to Portsmouth and from Beaufort and Harkers Island. Ferry companies in Davis, NC, and Atlantic, NC, use small vehicle ferries to reach the cabin camps.

As for camping, there are cabins. The only tent sites are on the beach. So those would be fairly open.

I am wondering how much has been released about the cause of death. It's possible that he was beaten to death. He could have been shot. I wonder if they know this information. The remains they recovered may show only knife or ax cuts.

If nobody from his group was involved, then he was killed while away from the campsite. Like he went for a walk in the middle of the night or something. Where would he go? To walk on the beach? To use a bathroom or shower?

 

[mlhenn]

Ft. Bragg soldier still missing at Cape Lookout

May not even matter but wonder what type of surgery he was recovering from?

Martinez says it's not her brother's character to just wander off alone. Plus, she says he was recovering from surgery.

 

[mlhenn]

Answers sought after U.S. Army paratrooper from Chino killed in North Carolina; $25,000 reward offered

Additional link

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

911 call for Fort Bragg missing soldier Enrique Martinez released

Griselda says they are waiting for a second DNA test to be confirmed before they move forward with funeral plans.

Is this protocol? Did the family request a second DNA test?

Maybe the second DNA test was on other remains found somewhere else? (They would want to bury them together.)

 

[mlhenn]

Army to help in search for soldier missing since Saturday

Jeff West, superintendent of the seashore, said Specialist Roman-Martinez, stationed at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base near Jacksonville, left a group of eight people who had come to the seashore on a ferry without telling anyone where he was going or what he was doing.

This answers my question on what specific time he was last seen/exactly amount of time passed before being reported:

He was last seen after midnight Saturday morning, but his disappearance wasn’t reported to seashore authorities until 7 p.m. Saturday.

No one has reported seeing the California native since he left the group near Mile Marker 46, near the rock jetty near the south end of the cape.

“By the time we got the report, about 17 hours had passed and by then we couldn’t use a search dog, especially with all the wind we get over here.”

Search continues for Fort Bragg solider missing at Cape Lookout National Seashore - OBX Today

Cape Lookout National Seashore officials want to talk to anyone who saw a white/silver Jeep Wrangler with two young men standing on the outside step rails while it drove at a high rate of speed south down the beach in connection with the May 22 disappearance of a soldier from Fort Bragg.

The Jeep would have been followed by a bright blue Ford Ranger pickup.

If you saw this pair of vehicles driving around, especially with the two young men hanging on the side of the Jeep, on Friday or Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, get in touch with park rangers at 252-725-4116.

JUST THINKING OF ANY LITTLE DETAIL THAT MAY HELP.

In one of the above links I quoted, the Army requested anyone who may have seen a white/silver Jeep that Fri or Saturday to contact them.
Possibilities:
Let’s just say someone saw it Saturday with EM hanging off the side. That in itself would mess the friends’ time frame up.
They stated he left the campsite around midnight & was still gone that morning (Sat morning) and they hadn’t seen him since. That couldn’t be the case if they were joyriding around the beach area and EM was seen with them that morning.
Possibly, something very tragic happened while they were riding around that Saturday morning and that is why it took them so long to place the 911 call.


Now, let’s say someone saw them riding Friday. After establishing a time, they could see if it fits in the time frame of the group being on the ferry, setting up camp, etc.

 

[Curiosity1234]

Ft. Bragg soldier still missing at Cape Lookout

This one is very local to me. Haven't seen it on here yet so wanted to add it.

Cape Lookout is an uninhabited barrier island that hosts one of our famous NC lighthouses. Simplest explanation is that he went into the water and drowned (the seas were pretty rough last week) but it is weird to me that his friends waited so long to report him missing.

Great that you are local, could be very helpful. Do you know the name of the lighthouse and the campsite Enrique and company were at ? How far is lighthouse from campsite ?

 

[mlhenn]

Remains of Missing 82nd Airborne Paratrooper Found – Reward Offered :: WRAL.com
https://www.wral.com/remains-of-missing-82nd-airborne-paratrooper-found-reward-offered/19135980/
Army to help in search for soldier missing since Saturday
https://www.wral.com/remains-of-missing-82nd-airborne-paratrooper-found-reward-offered/19135980/
Search continues for soldier missing from Cape Lookout

911 call for Fort Bragg missing soldier Enrique Martinez released

Maps - Cape Lookout National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

To Note
Based on links above:
•Friday, May 22: EM & 7 other soldiers arrived by ferry
•set up camp near mile 46 which is near the south end of the island (see map from link)
•around 12am: EM’s tent was knocked over due to wind; the group helped put it back up
•the group states this is the last time they saw him; he was wearing blue shorts & no shirt
•Sat May 23, morning: Group wakes up to find EM gone, leaving all his belongings behind (phone & wallet)
•Sat May 23, around 2:30pm: Rangers interact with the group (minus EM) about the manner of their vehicles parked. No mention of EM missing.
•Sat May 23, around 7:30pm: 911 call is made reporting EM missing; 17 hours have passed since last seen
•Officials requested that anyone seeing a Jeep followed by a truck traveling at a high rate of speed with two men hanging out the side (Fri or Sat) to contact LE.
•May 29: Partial remains confirmed to be EM was found near Cape Lookout National Seashore.


Questions I have:
•What time did the group come over with their vehicles on the ferry?
•Were the vehicles they group brought match the Jeep and truck referenced by officials? If not, can’t they look at video footage or paperwork (not sure how ferry works) to see who the two vehicles belong to?
•Why didn’t the group say anything to the rangers Sat afternoon when they were approached about their vehicle parking?
•What about his glasses? LE said his wallet & phone were left behind. Was he wearing them?
•Who took the picture of EM standing on the side of the vehicle?

Based on the linked info above, several things come to mind. Mere speculation; merely my opinion but I’m not sure what the rules are for posting it.

 

[Curiosity1234]

Great that you are local, could be very helpful. Do you know the name of the lighthouse and the campsite Enrique and company were at ? How far is lighthouse from campsite ?

I saw the following information about how visitors get to the island.

There are three main types of ferries. Large passenger ferries operate out of Beaufort and Harkers Island. Small passenger ferries are used by the services from Ocracoke to Portsmouth and from Beaufort and Harkers Island. Ferry companies in Davis, NC, and Atlantic, NC, use small vehicle ferries to reach the cabin camps.

As for camping, there are cabins. The only tent sites are on the beach. So those would be fairly open.

I am wondering how much has been released about the cause of death. It's possible that he was beaten to death. He could have been shot. I wonder if they know this information. The remains they recovered may show only knife or ax cuts.

If nobody from his group was involved, then he was killed while away from the campsite. Like he went for a walk in the middle of the night or something. Where would he go? To walk on the beach? To use a bathroom or shower?

Enrique's camping party consisted of 7 or. 8 other people. They would have camped on the beach possibily with tents because I could find no campgrounds with cabins listed for Shackleford Banks. There are no concession stands on Shackleford Banks either. They would have had to bring enough food and. water for all 7 or 8 of them. I didn't realize initially there were that many of them. What happened to the buddy system where we have each others back ? Not very likely that all 7 or 8 of them have no idea what happened to him. Enrique wasn't exactly in top physical shape if he was recovering from surgery.

 

[Curiosity1234]

Remains of Missing 82nd Airborne Paratrooper Found – Reward Offered :: WRAL.com
Army to help in search for soldier missing since Saturday
Search continues for soldier missing from Cape Lookout

911 call for Fort Bragg missing soldier Enrique Martinez released

Maps - Cape Lookout National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

To Note
Based on links above:
•Friday, May 22: EM & 7 other soldiers arrived by ferry
•set up camp near mile 46 which is near the south end of the island (see map from link)
•around 12am: EM’s tent was knocked over due to wind; the group helped put it back up
•the group states this is the last time they saw him; he was wearing blue shorts & no shirt
•Sat May 23, morning: Group wakes up to find EM gone, leaving all his belongings behind (phone & wallet)
•Sat May 23, around 2:30pm: Rangers interact with the group (minus EM) about the manner of their vehicles parked. No mention of EM missing.
•Sat May 23, around 7:30pm: 911 call is made reporting EM missing; 17 hours have passed since last seen
•Officials requested that anyone seeing a Jeep followed by a truck traveling at a high rate of speed with two men hanging out the side (Fri or Sat) to contact LE.
•May 29: Partial remains confirmed to be EM was found near Cape Lookout National Seashore.


Questions I have:
•What time did the group come over with their vehicles on the ferry?
•Were the vehicles they group brought match the Jeep and truck referenced by officials? If not, can’t they look at video footage or paperwork (not sure how ferry works) to see who the two vehicles belong to?
•Why didn’t the group say anything to the rangers Sat afternoon when they were approached about their vehicle parking?
•What about his glasses? LE said his wallet & phone were left behind. Was he wearing them?
•Who took the picture of EM standing on the side of the vehicle?

Based on the linked info above, several things come to mind. Mere speculation; merely my opinion but I’m not sure what the rules are for posting it.

Oh, your really good mlhenn with the links, timeline and all the information. I am wondering if someone quietly lured Enrique from his tent and that area because he left his phone and wallet behind which I find unusual. In this day and age, everyone takes their phone with them. Men always take their wallet with them, just like women take their purse everywhere.

 

[mlhenn]

@Curiosity1234
I have a theory of what may have occurred based merely on the info that’s been shared through the links we’ve previously posted.
I’m just not too sure how much of my opinion of what MAY HAVE occurred I can post.

I can message my thinking through a conversation here if you’d like.

 

[Curiosity1234]

Remains of Missing 82nd Airborne Paratrooper Found – Reward Offered :: WRAL.com
Army to help in search for soldier missing since Saturday
Search continues for soldier missing from Cape Lookout

911 call for Fort Bragg missing soldier Enrique Martinez released

Maps - Cape Lookout National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

To Note
Based on links above:
•Friday, May 22: EM & 7 other soldiers arrived by ferry
•set up camp near mile 46 which is near the south end of the island (see map from link)
•around 12am: EM’s tent was knocked over due to wind; the group helped put it back up
•the group states this is the last time they saw him; he was wearing blue shorts & no shirt
•Sat May 23, morning: Group wakes up to find EM gone, leaving all his belongings behind (phone & wallet)
•Sat May 23, around 2:30pm: Rangers interact with the group (minus EM) about the manner of their vehicles parked. No mention of EM missing.
•Sat May 23, around 7:30pm: 911 call is made reporting EM missing; 17 hours have passed since last seen
•Officials requested that anyone seeing a Jeep followed by a truck traveling at a high rate of speed with two men hanging out the side (Fri or Sat) to contact LE.
•May 29: Partial remains confirmed to be EM was found near Cape Lookout National Seashore.


Questions I have:
•What time did the group come over with their vehicles on the ferry?
•Were the vehicles they group brought match the Jeep and truck referenced by officials? If not, can’t they look at video footage or paperwork (not sure how ferry works) to see who the two vehicles belong to?
•Why didn’t the group say anything to the rangers Sat afternoon when they were approached about their vehicle parking?
•What about his glasses? LE said his wallet & phone were left behind. Was he wearing them?
•Who took the picture of EM standing on the side of the vehicle?

Based on the linked info above, several things come to mind. Mere speculation; merely my opinion but I’m not sure what the rules are for posting it.

Is it possible tha Enrique's along with some in his group toured the Cape Lookout Lighthouse on Saturday ? They were horsing around and somehow he fell from the lighthouse and that's how he died. His remains were found on a Cape Lookout beach I believe, that's 35 miles from where their tents were. The whole jeep, blue truck and missing after midnight story could have been a ruse to cover what happened on Saturday at the lighthouse.