An Ohio teenager allegedly strangled his ex-girlfriend while they were in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on a senior trip.
The victim’s best friend provided harrowing details of the incident, saying that the accused had locked himself in a room with the girl’s lifeless body for several hours before emerging with a self-inflicted stab wound to his chest.
According to police, 18-year-old Blake Linkous is accused of choking Natalie Martin to death on June 6, inside a vacation rental they were staying in with five other friends for a post-graduation celebration. The incident unfolded in the early morning hours when Linkous emerged from the room, causing panic among the group with his visible chest wound.
Upon noticing Linkous’s agitation and Martin’s absence, two of her friends entered the previously locked bedroom and found her lifeless on the floor. Despite their attempts at CPR, it was clear that their efforts were in vain as she had already succumbed to her injuries. Brooklyn Ferrell, Martin’s best friend who was not with the group at the time of the incident, has been keeping in touch with Martin’s mother as well as the teenagers who were at the scene. She also recounted Linkous’ violent history with Martin. They had broken up in February after a three year relationship after an incident where he threw her across the room.
Prior to the incident, Martin and Linkous, who had been high school sweethearts, had a disagreement over a text message she had sent to another boy. Despite resolving the argument, tensions persisted. Martin, feeling unwell, had left the club early with Linkous, while the rest of their friends returned home later that evening.
Linkous has been arrested and charged with murder. He is currently in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, where he is being held without bond. The community has rallied together to support Martin’s family, raising over $32,000 through a GoFundMe campaign.