Vermont man charged with aggravated murder in death of 82-year-old woman

A Vermont man was arrested and charged with murder in the death of an 82-year-old woman who was found dead last week, Vermont State Police said. 

Police began the search for Roberta Martin, of Enosburg, Vermont, on July 17 after her daughters had not heard from her in over 24 hours. Martin’s disappearance was deemed “suspicious” by authorities a day later. State Police found Martin’s remains near her house on July 21.

Darren Martell, 23, was living in a house next to Martin’s, Vermont State Police said. Police arrested him on Monday for an unrelated charge of lewd and lascivious conduct after they found him masturbating on a public path, the department said.

While Martell was still in custody for the lewd and lascivious conduct charge, State Police arrested him for aggravated murder, the department said.

A judge ordered Martell to be held without bail. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Friday, local media reported. Prosecutors allege that Martell sexually assaulted Martin and attempted to burn her remains, multiple outlets reported.

In Vermont, the mandatory sentence for aggravated murder is life in prison without parole. 

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