YUCAIPA – Investigation into the discovery of two dead bodies revealed evidence of a murder-suicide, according to detectives. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detectives ruled that Tammy Theresa Chilton, 45 of Yucaipa, was likely killed by her boyfriend, William Robert Martinez.
Martinez, 52 of Huntington Beach, then killed himself, according to the investigation. The two bodies were discovered on Thursday, June 25. One of Chilton’s co-workers alerted authorities of her concern when she failed to show up for work. Shortly after 7 p.m., a friend and the apartment manager where she lived entered her apartment.
They discovered her body and that of Martinez inside the apartment on the 12300 block of Third Street. Medical aid practitioners were dispatched to the site, but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputies determined there was a suspicious nature surrounding the deaths, resulting in a homicide investigation. Sgt. John Gaffney and Det. Patty Ruiz examined the surrounding evidence at the site of the bodies, with the autopsy ruling strangulation as the cause of death.
Tammy Theresa Chilton
The bodies, which were discovered on the bed in Chilton’s bedroom, included a ligature loosely tied around Chilton’s neck. Martinez was next to Chilton, hanging by his neck from the headboard.
The investigation by Gaffney and Ruiz concluded that Martinez strangled Chilton and then hung himself, according to reports. Investigators have not released any information regarding any motives for killing Chilton. Officials, who did not disclose any suicide notes, also did not reveal if there was a history of domestic violence between the couple.
Huntington Beach is located in Orange County, a little over one hour’s drive from the San Bernardino County city of Yucaipa, which borders Riverside County.
Read More:
Crime Voice: Investigators still looking into case of couple found dead
