Leticia Martinez-Cosman: Man arrested as Seattle mom who took selfie with him at Mariners game vanishes
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: A man has been arrested following the disappearance of a 58-year-old mother who was last seen at a Seattle Mariners game. A selfie captured by the woman along with the suspect has now helped the police in the investigation into Leticia Martinez-Cosman's missing incident since March 31 at the T-Mobile Park.
According to Seattle police, the woman took a smiling selfie with the male companion while they were at the game, reported Law and Crime. Police revealed the name of the male not until Thursday, April 6, when his arrest was announced.
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Why is the investigation determined as possible homicide?
Brett Michael Gitchel, 46, was taken into custody at the King's County Correctional Facility. He has been arrested for investigations of theft, assault, kidnapping, and homicide. It remains unclear when the investigators determined her missing could be a probe into homicide. Authorities are seeking help from the public as they are yet to locate her.
Leticia's disappearance is 'way out of the ordinary'
According to police, until the baseball game, the missing woman was in contact with her family. Martinez Cosman's friend Liz Latham said that her sudden missing is "way out of the ordinary" for her. "Leticia has a son, Patrick, who requires special attention. He’s neurodivergent and he has special needs. So she is in touch with her son 24/7, always checking on him, and he lives with her, and she had been saving for years to try to get a bigger house for the two of them," said Latham, reported The Independent.
58 Y/O Leticia Martinez-Cosman was last seen on a date w/ a man at the Mariners game Friday night.
— Simply_Stranger (@AngelsBokenHalo) April 7, 2023
Seattle police arrested 46 y/o Brett Michael Gitchel Thursday morning & booked him into King County Jail on suspicion of homicide, kidnapping, assault, & theft.
Leticia is… pic.twitter.com/z8pjDZpabr
The missing woman's brother Ricardo Martinez said that he and his sister have a close bonding. "Just early morning breakfasts on Saturday and take long walks on the beach. She’s just full of energy and full of life," said Ricardo. He said that the family remains hopeful on finding Martinez-Cosman. "At this point, he’s got all the answers and we are just waiting for ... to find my sister," said Ricardo.
Talking to KIRO7, the Seattle Mariners said they are still communicating with law enforcement relating to the case.
"We are aware of the situation and take it very seriously. We have been in contact with law enforcement and have offered any assistance we can provide," read the organization's statement.
