Who is Peter Martinelli? Texas man arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing psychiatrist mother 'multiple times'
LUBBOCK, TEXAS: A tragic death of a child psychiatrist has left a community reeling as her 24-year-old son allegedly stabbed her to death.
According to the Lubbock Police Department, officers responded to a distressing domestic violence call at 7.08 pm on Thursday, August 10, at a home in the 4500 block of 20th Street. They found Dr Brigitte Curtis, 63, outside her home suffering from mutiple stab wounds which proved to be fatal.
Who is Peter Martinelli?
Brigitte's 24-year-old son Peter Martinelli was reportedly in the driveway of the property at the time of the officers' arrival. He then fled on foot when he saw the officers' approaching, but he was apprehended shortly.
"Martinelli fled on foot and was taken into custody shortly after. Through the initial course of the investigation, it appears Martinelli attacked Curtis while she was in the front yard stabbing her multiple times," said authorities.
"EMS arrived and pronounced Curtis deceased at the scene," according to police, reported Law and Crime.
What led to the horrifying murder?
The circumstances that led to the gruesome fatal stabbing remain unclear. Law enforcement officers were seen putting the suspect in handcuffs on the ground at the crime scene.
Investigators are working to connect the events that took place before the fatal incident. Martinelli is currently being charged with murder.
He is booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center and is held on $500, 000 bond, as per the jail records reviewed by the outlet. Martinelli who allegedly attempted to escape from being taken into custody is also facing charges with evading on foot.
The impact of this fatal stabbing has reverberated through the neighborhood and the community which has affected many who knew and respected the child psychatrist.
Talking to KLBK about the tragic death of Dr Brigitte Curtis, the StarCare Speciality Health System released a statement. "Our hearts are broken, and our prayers go out to the many people who were so positively impacted by her,” read the statement.
As per Texas Medical Board records, Curtis graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1987. Since 1993, the 63-year-old had been a licensed physician specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry as evidenced by certifications issued by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
