WESTMINSTER, Colo. — A woman accused of killing her roommate at their residence searched "how long before someone is considered missing" the morning before her roommate's body was found inside a "hope chest," according to an arrest affidavit in the case.
Selene Martinez, 45, faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with a deceased human body, according to the Westminster Police Department. A warrant was issued for her on April 10, and she was arrested in Wheat Ridge just before 11 p.m. Tuesday.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Westminster Police officers responded to the 8400 block of Sheridan Boulevard for a report of suspicious death.
Once there, officers found the body of 48-year-old Nicole Meagher. After an autopsy, the Adams County Coroner's Office ruled the death a homicide and determined her cause of death as "multiple sharp force injuries." It was also noted that the victim had extensive bruising on her face and appeared to have defensive wounds on her hands.
A single strand of dark hair was found in her left hand, the affidavit says.
According to the affidavit, the victim's cousin called police on Oct. 7, 2023. She said she found Meagher's body inside a "hope chest" after Martinez told her the body was there but said she had been "afraid to look."
When police interviewed Martinez, she said she had left the night before and when she returned on the morning of Oct. 7, the door was "wide open" and the windows were also open, the affidavit says. She said Meagher was "gone" and that the residence was "cleaner" than when she left.
At the crime scene, investigators found several purple "press on" fingernails. When they reviewed security footage of Martinez making purchases on Oct. 6 at a Walmart, they noticed her right hand was missing three fingernails and that her nails on the other hand appeared "consistent" with those found at the scene.
After a review, investigators found that several internet searches were made on Oct 1.
They included:
- "What state is the fastest way to change your name and social security number"
- "Sell your car for cash"
- "If you work in a casino in Vegas can you live in the casino"
On Oct. 18, an officer responded to a home to speak with Martinez. When that detective got there, he learned that Martinez had been made aware that the detective planned to come by and had "fled."
She left behind a bag of belongings. In it was a handwritten note about wanting to go to a "warmer climate." The note mentioned going to Las Vegas.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or visit metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers works by assigning a code to people who anonymously submit a tip. Information is shared with law enforcement, and Crime Stoppers is notified at the conclusion of the investigation.
From there, an awards committee reviews the information provided and, if the information leads to an arrest, the tipster will be notified. Rewards can be collected using the code numbers received when the tip was originally submitted.
> More information about Metro Denver Crime Stoppers can be found here.
> Additional Crime Stoppers bulletins can be found here.
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