Leticia Martinez-Cosman and Brett Gitchel.
Leticia Martinez-Cosmanwas last seen the evening of March 31 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. According to family, she last texted them a selfie of her and her date Brett Gitchel at the Mariners game.
Gitchel, 46, was arrested April 5 in connection with her disappearance.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
He’s since been charged with murder, kidnapping, unlawful possession of a firearm, theft and arson, jail records show, and is being held on $5 million bail.
It’s unclear if he retained an attorney to comment on his behalf or if he entered a plea to the charges.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Martinez-Cosman, 58, died from asphyxia due to strangulation. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Leticia Martinez-Cosman and Patrick Cosman.GoFundMe
Martinez-Cosman’s remains were found less than two miles away from where Gitchel allegedly attacked her adult son, Patrick Cosman, who has special needs, following her disappearance.
Patrick told police he was able to fight off Gitchel and escape.
Since then, the family’s launched aGoFundMecampaign to help pay for Patrick’s ongoing care.
“Patrick has special needs and needs full-time care. Letty was his caretaker, and his life has been turned upside down,” the fundraiser description reads. “Patrick will have extensive physical and mental health needs in the days and months ahead and we cannot do it alone.”
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.
source: people.com
