Enrique Roman-Martinez: Kin of slain paratrooper, 21, whose dismembered body washed ashore demands answers
OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA: The family of a US Army paratrooper, Enrique Roman-Martinez is demanding answers after he went missing on a camping trip. The 21-year-old's partial remains were discovered on the Outer Banks, North Carolina, on May 29. The family of Roman- Martinez wants answers from the US Army regarding the mysterious circumstances around Martinez's death and dismemberment.
The sister of the victim Griselda Martinez spoke to ABC 7 about her brother's dismemberment and said, "It was so cruel what they did to him. Why did they have to do that to him? He's already gone. Why did they have to go the extra step to do this to him? So, it was really hard for us, too."
Roman- Martinez vanished after taking a camping trip with his fellow soldiers to North Carolina's Outer Banks on Memorial Day weekend. The family has said that Army Officials at Fort Bragg in North Carolina have not given away any details about the case.
On May 23, an unidentified person had placed a call to 911 saying that Roman-Martinez was last seen in a pair of blue shorts and no shirt around midnight, around 19 hours before the call had been placed. A week later, his remains were found on Shackleford Banks Island with his body being identified using dental records. The paratrooper's phone, wallet and glasses were found at the campsite, which led the family to wonder why he would have left without them.
Griselda Martinez added, "Because my brother can't see without his glasses, so for him to walk out in the middle of the night without his glasses, it's not likely. He can't see, where would he go?"
The Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Major General Christopher Donahue, released a statement on Thursday where he said, "Over Memorial Day weekend we lost Enrique to a senseless act of violence.We are doing everything we can to support his family and find justice for Enrique. I've personally spoken with his family to assure them that we will not stop in our pursuit to bring those responsible to justice. The US Army Criminal Investigation Command has offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the homicide. I encourage anyone with information related to this case, regardless of how small, to contact the Fort Bragg CID Office," he continued.
Donahue also described Roman Martinez as "a valued member of our team". "My family's thoughts -- and the thoughts of the leadership of the 82nd Airborne Division -- are focused on Enrique's family and battle buddies as we mourn together," he revealed.
Roman-Martinez' battalion commander Lt Col Scotty Autin told the Army Times, "We are deeply saddened by Spc Roman-Martinez’s untimely passing. He was well-liked by those who served alongside him. Spc Roman-Martinez had a great attitude and the tragedy of his loss is felt by all of us."
Griselda had revealed that Martinez had joined the Army when he was 17 years old as he thought it would teach him discipline and responsibility and give him a way to go to college. "We didn’t want him to go. He was set on it. He thought it would be good for him," she shared, USA Today reveals.
Anyone with information in Roman-Martinez's disappearance and homicide is encouraged to contact Army CID Special Agents at (910) 396-8777, the Military Police Desk at (910) 396-1179 or submit information online.