Sep 20, 2006 10:12 pm US/Eastern
Marlton Woman 'Victim Of A Presumed Homicide'
Marianne DeMartin Was Last Seen One Year Ago
MOUNT HOLLY (CBS 3) ―
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Missing Marlton woman, Marianne DeMartin (file)
CBS 3
Almost one year later, authorities announced they are treating the mysterious disappearance of a Marlton woman as a possible homicide.
Burlington County prosecutors called a press conference Wednesday in hopes new evidence will lead to information as to what happened to 52-year-old Marianne DeMartin.
Authorities said they discovered sweat and tissue residue in the back of DeMartin's car.
The state's D.N.A. database did not produce a positive match and officials said they do not have enough to compare it to the federal database.
DeMartin was last heard from around 7 p.m. on September 23, 2005, by phone with a family member.
Prosecutors now hope the public can identify a person of interest seen in surveillance video taken behind the shops of the Avian Plaza in Marlton on September 25, 2005, just two days after DeMartin was reported missing.
In the footage, DeMartin's Ford Mustang convertible is shown parking next to a dumpster in the lot.
"The car pulls in, the individual gets out and then is seen walking across the parking lot," said Burlington County prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi.
In the video, the person of interest is seen leaving the scene with a bag that they put down once and pick back up before leaving.
Based on evidence found in her vehicle, Bernardi said they believe DeMartin was the victim of a presumed homicide.
"In the trunk of the 2001 Mustang, we did identify certain stains. Those stains have been examined and we're satisfied, based on forensic analysis, that they are in fact blood stains that reveal the D.N.A. of Marianne DeMartin," he said.
Devastated family members hope the public will offer any information that will help provide them with closure.
"We would love to have some conclusion of this," said Marianne's father, Richard.
Authorities also said DeMartin took a cab home from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia on September 23rd.
Investigators have gone back to the station numerous times with DeMartin's picture in an attempt to talk to the cab driver but they have been unable to locate the driver. However, there are no accusations being made towards the unknown driver.
If you have any information on DeMartin's disappearance, contact police.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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