Found Deceased AR- Marquis Dareun Martin, 26, Wilmar, 9 Feb 2020

[mlhenn]

Rumors addressed; cause of death reported in Martin investigation

Additional link

 

[mlhenn]

‘Mama will still be here’: Arkansas mother whose son was found dead in Drew County isn’t giving up until her son’s killer is behind bars | KTVE - myarklamiss.com

July article
Lakisha Arrington, Martin’s mother, has been dealing with his death and faces every day knowing the killer is still on the loose.

Since Martin’s death, he has missed out on many life moments with his young son, MJ, including his birthday, graduation and Father’s Day.

Many family members and friends still leave notes and keepsakes near the sight of where he was found. Arrington says it comforts her to know that people are still seeking justice for her son.

 

[mlhenn]

‘Mama will still be here’: Arkansas mother whose son was found dead in Drew County isn’t giving up until her son’s killer is behind bars | KTVE - myarklamiss.com

To Note on LE’s end of investigation:
The Drew County Sheriff’s office is still trying to solve a murder investigation that happened months ago.
Drew County Sheriff, Mark Gober, says investigators along with the Arkansas State Police have interviewed about 45 people in recent months, which he says is three times more than normal for a typical homicide.

Martin’s body was found in a creek on March 7. Although information regarding his death is limited, Gober is certain the crime happened somewhere else and the body was dumped there in the creek.

“We’re trying to put the pieces together ” he said. “Unfortunately his body was missing for over a month and we have no crime scene and no witnesses at this time that have come forward.”

Investigators have picked up several videos from surveillance cameras across Monticello but nothing has led to any arrests being made.

There have been persons of interest that deputies have been looking into but he couldn’t comment on that. He said the department is working to make sure whoever killed Martin is brought into custody.

“We strive forward to come up with some information and this case isn’t closed,” he said. “We don’t call it a closed case.”

BBM

 

[masterkodiak]

“Gober said the investigation continues to be a priority of the Drew County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police.”

I don’t believe Gober has any interest on investigating. Based on the fact that I was robbed and got bit by a dog (on separate occasions at work) and both times my police reports have disappeared. I have no faith in that man at all. ASP I do believe have a bigger dog in the MM case. But I think that ASP is so stretched as it is that nothing will be done and it’ll go cold. I don’t want that for MM. I don’t want that for anyone. I mean. What if it was my sister, or fiancée, or mom? I’d want something to be done.

 

[mlhenn]

Rumors addressed; cause of death reported in Martin investigation

Still no arrests made that I am able to find; there is still a pretty hefty reward amount for info that leads to the arrest of person/people involved.



In an effort to quiet rumors surrounding the ongoing investigation in the death of Wilmar resident Marquis Martin, the Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office released the official cause of death in the case.

According to the State Crime Lab medical examiner report, the cause of death was a gunshot wound with the manner being listed as a homicide. As rumors took over social media, speculation over the cause of death, along with suspects in the case grew.

“A lot was put out there on social media,” said Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober. “Speculation about myself and my family, along with death threats.”
Rumors began swirling about Gober and his children being involved in the death before Martin was found and grew from there.
“A political opponent and former employee made a post,” said Gober about how the rumors began. “He wanted to make a murder investigation a political issue. Say what you want about me but leave my kids out of it.”
The DCSO is still actively investigating the death of Martin. Anyone with information regarding his death is urged to contact the Drew County Sheriff’s Department at 870-367-6211 or Arkansas State Police 870-226-3713. A reward is still being offered for information.

 

[evilwise]

I bet they have a snitch in the mix after that $25k trying to get a recording of the killer boasting/confessing.

 

[mlhenn]

I bet they have a snitch in the mix after that $25k trying to get a recording of the killer boasting/confessing.

I’m pretty local to the area and I haven’t heard any type of update or even a new rumor floating around for months now.
IMO, it will all play out & there will be answers. People around here have trouble staying quiet & in this situation that’s beneficial in solving MM’s murder.

 

[mlhenn]

Drew County murder case of Marquis Martin remains unsolved 1 year later

The Drew County community is still trying to heal from the death of 26-year-old Marquis Martin. According to the Drew County Sheriff’s Office, Martin was reported missing a year ago this month.


Officials with the Drew County prosecuting attorney’s office tells KATV that Martin’s death is ruled a homicide from a gunshot wound of the head.

Gober said Martin’s case has not been forgotten.

“It’s still in the forefront of our minds, we like to solve crimes. This was a brutal crime and it’s our intentions that we don’t write this one off at all,” Gober said.

Gober said he’s frustrated this case doesn’t have any leads after a year later, and it’s still unsolved.

 

[evilwise]

For that $25k reward to go unpursued makes me feel like either the killing was a solo attack or the victim was involved pretty deep in criminal activity.

 

[mlhenn]

For that $25k reward to go unpursued makes me feel like either the killing was a solo attack or the victim was involved pretty deep in criminal activity.

At a pretty local perspective, I’d venture to say it’s the first of your two possibilities. I’m surprised as well that the $25k didn’t get someone talking. People around here have a problem (IMO) keeping quiet too long when it comes to things like this.

 

[mlhenn]

I’ve noticed in recent weeks that a handful of locals from Drew County have been busy on social media by bringing up allegations against the sheriff and his family members concerning MM’s homicide. I try to stay clear of the social media chaos, but while reading through the local news I did come across this recent article:

https://www.kark.com/news/state-news/drew-county-residents-protesting-for-sheriff-to-recuse-himself-from-marquis-martin-killing/

June 4
Family and friends of a man murdered last year in Wilmar took to the steps of the Drew County Courthouse on Friday.

Lakisha Arrington, mother of Marquis Martin, led the call to action in her request that Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober recuse himself from the investigation of her son’s death.


For a year rumors and pictures were displayed on social media with allegations that the sheriff’s son and friends were allegedly involved.

Sheriff Gober has denied the allegations saying that one of his sons and others who have had allegations against them have been cleared after being interviewed by Arkansas State Police.

Martin’s family and friends say they will continue to raise their voices until the Sheriff allows other agencies to investigate.

 

[mlhenn]

Arkansas mother seeking justice for murdered son claims pic from sheriff’s son shows dead body | KARK

And then there’s this article. It was published a day before the one I posted in the above post.
I can’t imagine what MM’s mother is feeling; I pray there are answers soon and justice is served...But, with that being said, some of the accusations being put out there are far fetched (just my humble opinion). We see so often loved ones who are pleading for answers and in effect start grasping at anything they can to try to make sense of the situation to find those answers. Respectfully, I don’t feel like this is the most effective way at finding who’s responsible for MM’s death...again, JMO.

From the article:
The mother of a man who was killed says she wants the Drew County sheriff to recuse himself and his office from the investigation, but the sheriff isn’t budging.

“I’m going to get justice for my son,” Martin’s mother, Lakisha Williams, said. “I believe he was executed.”

Documents show the Arkansas State Crime Lab determined Martin died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Williams, Martin’s mother, believes a photo circulating on social media shows her son’s face (deceased).


The sheriff told KARK 4 News that a lot of rumors started because of politics, calling the claims “completely false” and saying other authorities agree.

“The State Police has been assisting since he was reported missing. The Facebook allegations are completely false and have no merit. The prosecutor nor State Police believes the Facebook rumors,” Gober wrote in a prepared statement. “Anyone with direct knowledge or information may contact this department or the State Police in Warren, Arkansas.”

 

[evilwise]

Here's a KATV article with a video and captures from that video showing an unfiltered copy of the social media posts, although it's video taken off the Mom's phone zoomed in on the object in question. It certainly doesn't look like a face to me but the whole thing is a good lesson about not making stupid posts with racist language on social media in this day and age.

Family of Marquis Martin wants answers after photo surfaces in possible connection

 

[Dre]

Here's a KATV article with a video and captures from that video showing an unfiltered copy of the social media posts, although it's video taken off the Mom's phone zoomed in on the object in question. It certainly doesn't look like a face to me but the whole thing is a good lesson about not making stupid posts with racist language on social media in this day and age.

Family of Marquis Martin wants answers after photo surfaces in possible connection

Thanks for that video, super strange, and that is very clearly his face to me, but I am not understanding the sizing or how that could really be him under that blanket.
There cant be TOO much animosity re the Sheriff being a 'suspect' as the family has invited him to their peaceful protest and hopes he comes to show support.
MOO

 

[evilwise]

Thanks for that video, super strange, and that is very clearly his face to me, but I am not understanding the sizing or how that could really be him under that blanket.
There cant be TOO much animosity re the Sheriff being a 'suspect' as the family has invited him to their peaceful protest and hopes he comes to show support.
MOO

I only looked at the still frames so maybe it's clearer in the video. Another article claimed that it was a shoop of the actual social media post by the sheriff's son so that version may be the work of race baiting trolls. It seems like the caption was probably intended as being spoken BY the stuffed monkey not TO the stuffed monkey but white people should know they're not allowed to use that particular phrase under any circumstances. Teens can be dumb though.

 

[mlhenn]

I consider this case fairly ‘local’; it’s a county over but I’m in the area on a regular basis. So when I heard there were things happening concerning his case, I began digging around.
It is awful what happened to this young man. I hate that his mother is hurting like this; may they find who is responsible for Marquis’s death.

There’s a Facebook page dedicated to getting justice for Marquis. IMO, it’s a lot to sort through and to take in. Of course there’s many posts addressing the issues in the articles posted previously as well as dozens of people’s opinions on what’s real vs fake and the theories of who, where, & why.

This is my opinion; the photo (blankets, stuffed animal, & racist words) was sent by the sheriff’s son (as he stated); it was done out of ugliness to get a reaction from people. Which is completely WRONG. But the face some people “see” isn’t of Marquis. Again, JMO... My theory is either the guy edited a face into the photo before posting it to add that extra hatefulness OR someone came across the photo, it angered them (rightfully so) and that person edited a face (which if so, is also wrong).

Another opinion I have, I do think there’s history or a story of some sort between the two young men and we’ve seen bits of it throughout all the accusations and theories being posted.

I know a mother is hurting and a young man’s life was taken, which is wrong not matter what the circumstance is behind it. I just pray LE stays focused, gathers evidence/information, uses their professional knowledge to weed fact from fiction, and find the person who is responsible for this tragic incident.

 

[mlhenn]

Monticello Live
Local News Group

Monticello Live
Protest at Courthouse: 9:30am video
<iframe title="vimeo-player" src="Marquis Martin Protest at Courthouse from MonticelloLive on Vimeo"

 

[mlhenn]

Monticello Live

Protest at Courthouse: 10am Video
"Marquis Martin Protest, 10 AM from MonticelloLive on Vimeo"

 

[mlhenn]

Monticello Live

VIDEO #3

Protest at Courthouse: 11am Video
="Marquis Martin Protest, 11 AM from MonticelloLive on Vimeo"

 

[mlhenn]

Monticello Live

VIDEO #4

Marquis Martin Protest: Balloon Release
"Marquis Martin Protest Balloon Release from MonticelloLive on Vimeo"