SC - Natalie Martin, 18, Duncan Falls, OH, murdered on senior trip, boyfriend Blake Linkous arrested and charged - Myrtle Beach, 7 Jun 2023

[ttilton06]

There is a case in my small town in Duncan Falls Ohio. Natalie Martin 18 was on senior trip with classmates and her boyfriend in Myrtle Beach in June of 2023. He strangled her to death and then tried to stab himself when he realized what he did. He was charged with murder in Horry County. His name is Blake Linkous. They were both graduates at Philo High School in Ohio. He was released on house arrest and sent back to Ohio the same month that the murder occurred. There has been no movement on the case. Blake is still at home and allowed to be in various areas in town. <modsnip> Thanks for taking the time to read this.
#Justicefornatalie

Teen Accused of Murdering Ex-Girlfriend on Senior Trip Allegedly Locked Himself in Room with Body for Hours

Blake Linkous was arrested earlier this month for allegedly strangling his ex-girlfriend Natalie Martin to death

people.com

 

[ifindedout]

There are quite a few stories about Natalie's murder, though as you say there are no recent updates in the media. Welcome to Websleuths, @ttilton06!

Teen strangled in Myrtle Beach-area hotel; Ohio teen charged

No bond has been issued.

www.wmbfnews.com

The Horry County Coroner identified the woman as 18-year-old Natalie Martin of Roseville, OH. was discovered unresponsive in her hotel room on Maison Dr. in Myrtle Beach.

[...]

An arrest warrant obtained by WMBF News states evidence at the scene and witness statements led investigators to determine that on Tuesday, Blake William Linkous, 18, of Blue Rock, Ohio, manually strangled the victim causing her death.

Ohio man charged in Horry County murder granted conditional bond, awaits mental evaluation

An Ohio man accused of strangling a woman to death in Horry County appeared for a bond hearing Thursday morning.

wpde.com

Linkous was granted a $150,000 surety bond on the condition that he signed a waiver of extradition.

He has no criminal background beyond this case and the judge deemed he is not a flight risk or a danger to himself or others.

 

[ttilton06]

Thanks ifindedout!! I watch Websluths on YouTube every night, I thought it was time to join the forum and bring attention to Natalie.

 

[ifindedout]

Court records show no action since July. Case number is 2023A2610700395.
https://publicindex.sccourts.org/horry/publicindex/

 

[ifindedout]

Best friend of Ohio teen killed on Myrtle Beach trip reveals chilling new details

Blake Linkous and Natalie Martin allegedly split up after he threw her across a room, according to a friend.

nypost.com

“At about 9 a.m., Blake came out, he had stabbed himself in the chest and everyone got up and was freaking out and asking ‘Where’s Natalie? Where’s Natalie?'” Brooklyn Ferrell told Fox News Digital.

Two of Martin’s friends went into the bedroom and found her on the floor and started CPR. “It was way too late for that. She was cold and stiff,” Ferrell added.

[...]

Linkous, a high school football player and wrestler, and Martin, who loved softball and soccer, dated for about three years before they split up in February after he allegedly assaulted her at his house in front of a group of their friends.

“He took her and threw her across the room,” according to Ferrell.

“He was trying to make amends and apologized to her all the time. He would text me constantly asking what I should do to get her back,” she recalled.

 

[ttilton06]

<modsnip> These are my opinions. We have known Natalie and her parents since she was a little girl as well as some of the girls that were on the trip that will forever be traumatized by these events.

 

[MadMcGoo]

Welcome to Websleuths @ttilton06!! Thanks for starting a thread for Natalie.

A link to a mainstream media source or statement from law enforcement is required when starting a new thread. I’ll add that for you this time and move the thread to a better suited forum. (Note that location and any changes you may see to the title in the event you want to create a thread for another case in the future. )

We strive to ensure that only factual information is discussed on Websleuths, so anything you post as fact must be accompanied by an approved source link. The exception to this rule is when we have a Verified Insider that is a family member or friend of the victim or missing person. The process is completely confidential and would allow you to share without having to provide those links.

Here is a link to that process: Verification Process for Professional or Insider Posters

If you have any questions click the report button on this post to ask and we’d be happy to help. Thanks!
Mad

 

[ttilton06]

Thank you!

 

[Gemmie]

Thanks ifindedout!! I watch Websluths on YouTube every night, I thought it was time to join the forum and bring attention to Natalie.

Welcome to WS, @ttilton06! Glad to have you here!

 

[Gemmie]

Welcome to Websleuths @ttilton06!! Thanks for starting a thread for Natalie.

A link to a mainstream media source or statement from law enforcement is required when starting a new thread. I’ll add that for you this time and move the thread to a better suited forum. (Note that location and any changes you may see to the title in the event you want to create a thread for another case in the future. )

We strive to ensure that only factual information is discussed on Websleuths, so anything you post as fact must be accompanied by an approved source link. The exception to this rule is when we have a Verified Insider that is a family member or friend of the victim or missing person. The process is completely confidential and would allow you to share without having to provide those links.

Here is a link to that process: Verification Process for Professional or Insider Posters

If you have any questions click the report button on this post to ask and we’d be happy to help. Thanks!
Mad

Thanks, @MadMcGoo!!!!

 

[ttilton06]

https://www.wbtw.com/news/grand-strand/horry-county/ohio-man-scheduled-for-trial-next-week-in-2023-horry-county-strangulation-death/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook.com

Natalie’s case is finally set to go in front of the judge this week. Pray for justice for Natalie and her family.

 

[ttilton06]

 

[arielilane]

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - An Ohio man admitted to strangling his ex-girlfriend to death in the Myrtle Beach area during a 2023 graduation trip.

Man pleads guilty to strangling ex-girlfriend in Myrtle Beach-area

An Ohio man admitted to strangling his ex-girlfriend to death in the Myrtle Beach area during a 2023 graduation trip.

www.wmbfnews.com

3/3/2025

15th Circuit Chief Deputy Solicitor Scott Hixson is recommending at least 45 years in prison for Linkous.

 

[arielilane]

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (Court TV) — An Ohio man was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Ohio man pleads guilty to strangling ex-girlfriend during beach trip

The teens were on a group trip celebrating their recent high school graduation when Blake Linkous strangled Natalie Martin.

www.courttv.com

March 3, 2025

 

[ttilton06]