Where is Christian ‘Kit’ Martin now? 'NBC Dateline' features case of Kentucky pilot who plotted to kill neighbors
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: In 2021, former commercial pilot Christian 'Kit' Martin was sentenced to life in prison without parole for a triple murder in Christian County and is currently serving his sentence at the Roederer Correctional Complex. Despite his insistence of innocence, the jury, on June 16, 2021, found Martin guilty of the triple homicide involving Calvin and Pamela Phillips and Edward Dansereau. The charges also included burning two of the bodies in a vehicle.
The former decorated Army Major faced convictions on all counts, comprising three counts of murder, two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of first-degree arson, one count of criminal attempt to commit first-degree arson, and three counts of tampering with physical evidence.
This Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 9 pm ET, 'Dateline NBC' will broadcast an episode titled 'The Evil That Watches', examining the triple murders of Pamela and Calvin Phillips and their neighbor Edward Dansereau. The episode delves into the disturbing events surrounding these tragic deaths.
The official synopsis states, “A triple murder sends shockwaves through a small Kentucky town. As secrets come tumbling out, residents begin to wonder: how well do we really know our neighbors? Keith Morrison reports.”
Who is Christian Kit Martin?
Christian Martin, a former Army Major and pilot for an American Airlines subsidiary, was arrested on May 11, 2019, at Louisville International Airport for his alleged involvement in a triple murder case from 2015.
The charges, including three counts of murder, arson, attempted arson, tampering with evidence, and burglary, were brought after a grand jury indictment. Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear confirmed Martin's connection to the deaths of Calvin, Pamela Phillips, and Edward Dansereau.
Previously married to Stacey Johnson with three children, Martin has a military background, having served as a Calvary scout, signal officer, Ranger, Master Advisor, and Apache Helicopter pilot.
Why did Christian Kit Martin kill his neighbours?
Days before facing a military court-martial, Christian Martin committed the killings to prevent his neighbor Calvin from testifying against him. Calvin, along with his wife Pamela and neighbor Edward Dansereau, had been assisting Kit Martin's ex-wife Joan Harmon and her son Justin in relocating due to alleged abuse.
Two weeks before the murders, Calvin was set to testify against Kit in a military trial where Kit faced accusations of physical and sexual abuse, mishandling classified military materials, and abuse of a child under 16.
During the move, the neighbors discovered evidence of abuse against Justin and classified materials labeled as 'secret operation'. Reporting their findings to the FBI led to Kit's military court-martial. In an attempt to obstruct testimony and seek revenge for the exposure of his wrongdoing, Kit Martin killed his neighbors, who had assisted his estranged wife and son.
In 2016, Kit Martin was found guilty of two counts of simple assault and two counts of mishandling classified information. Despite the convictions, Martin argued that he had no motive to commit the murders of Pamela and Calvin Phillips and Edward Dansereau, claiming that Calvin was supposed to be his 'star witness' in the court-martial.
However, on Saturday morning, May 11, 2019, Christian Martin was arrested at Louisville International Airport on charges related to the same triple murder case from several years ago. The United States Marshal Service, in collaboration with local agencies, took Martin into custody as he was given life imprisonment sentence.
How was Christian Kit Martin found guilty?
After his arrest and subsequent conviction in 2016, Christian Martin was released on bond due to a lack of evidence. However, Calvin and Pamela's son, Matt, determined to seek justice for his innocent parents, tirelessly advocated for a reinvestigation of the case. The Phillips family's persistent efforts led investigators to reopen the case, eventually uncovering new evidence.
To their surprise, the Phillips family discovered a spent bullet shell casing on the back porch door near the cellar entrance in Pamela and Calvin’s home. Additionally, they found a set of Martin’s dog tags on a shelf inside the house.
Forensic analysis confirmed that the bullet casing matched a gun that belonged to Martin. Furthermore, investigators were now able to place Martin's mobile phone in the vicinity where Pamela and Edward’s bodies were found. With this newfound evidence, there was finally enough grounds to charge him.
What happened to Calvin, Pamela Phillips and Edward Danseraus?
On November 18, 2015, a burned-out car was discovered in a cornfield near Pembroke. The charred remains inside were identified as Pamela, aged 58, and Edward Dansereau, aged 63. Both victims had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Tracing the car back to Pamela's home, the police uncovered another gruesome crime scene. In the cellar, they found Pamela's husband, Calvin, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The killer had attempted to burn his body unsuccessfully and had closed the cellar doors in an attempt to conceal the crime.
Martin, the mastermind behind the triple murders in Kentucky in 2015, attempted to craft a false narrative to mislead investigators. Martin plotted to make the murders appear as if they were the result of a love affair between Pamela and Edward.
However, the collected evidence proved instrumental in exposing the truth and pointing to Martin's guilt. Despite his attempts to manipulate the crime scene, the compelling evidence eventually shattered his deceptive plan.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC, and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.