Leticia Martinez-Cosman, a 58-year-old woman who disappeared on March 31 after attending a Seattle Mariners baseball game with a man named Brett Gitchel, 46, was found dead in the woods in Renton, Washington on April 11. She had texted a selfie of herself and Gitchel at the game before disappearing.
An autopsy was performed by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office and Martinez-Cosman’s death was ruled a homicide after the autopsy revealed that she had been strangled to death.
Gitchel was arrested on April 5 in connection to the woman’s disappearance and has been charged with murder, kidnapping, theft, unlawful possession of a gun, and arson. He is being held on $5 million bail.
Martinez-Cosman’s brother, Ricardo Martinez, expressed his sorrow and desire for justice for his sister and nephew. Martinez-Cosman’s son, Patrick Cosman, who has special needs, was allegedly attacked by Gitchel less than two miles from where Martinez-Cosman’s remains were found. Charging documents revealed that Gitchel allegedly kidnapped and tried unsuccessfully to strangle Patrick to death. Martinez-Cosman’s car was found burned with accelerants about two hours after her son’s alleged kidnapping and assault.
The family has created a GoFundMe campaign to support Patrick’s care, as he requires full-time supervision and his mother was his primary caretaker. According to the fundraising page, Patrick will require extensive physical and mental health support in the coming days and months, and the family cannot handle it alone. The campaign has already raised over $34,000.
The tragedy of Leticia Martinez-Cosman’s death and the alleged actions of Brett Gitchel are incomprehensible. As the legal process takes its course, the family of Martinez-Cosman and Patrick will continue to need support as they cope with their loss and work to provide for Patrick’s needs.