2020 has been an unprecedented year, to say the least. A memorable year, yet one we wouldn’t want to repeat. Despite COVID-19 and the tumultuous election, there was a real-life horror story that made headlines in (at least) Illinois and Kentucky this past fall.
A 31-year-old woman, Ladawndra Ellington, who was living in Louisville, Kentucky, with her boyfriend, 30-year-old Melvin Martin, Jr. Ellington had not been seen in several weeks.
Neighbors noticed Martin coming and going from their apartment. Martin was seen carrying large black garbage bags and at least one large suitcase to a garbage dumpster. At the time, no connection was made that Ellington’s body (part of) was in those bags. Who would suspect such a thing?
Martin had been having financial issues (including the IRS) and decided to come to south suburban Markham to stay with relatives. He arrived via a Greyhound bus with suitcases, which he was quite guarded about. Relatives had an inkling of suspicion about the suitcases when Martin asked them for clothing, yet never unpacked.
When Martin’s mother dropped him off at the local library, she went home and decided to see what was in the suitcases. To her shock, there were body parts including a head, lower torso, and organs. The mother called 911 and reported what she discovered. Markham Police went to the local library and arrested Martin.
Martin was on the IRS website at the library when police arrived and investigators found several letters from the IRS in Martin’s baggage. Markham Police Chief, Terry White, said “Martin cooperated with police and was remorseful.”
The woman was killed in a domestic assault in Louisville, following an argument this past summer. She had been dead for at least 30 days and was reported missing. Her torso was found in a park near Louisville, Kentucky.
Police said Martin had prior domestic arrests and court records show Martin has a history of domestic violence charges including protection orders requested by different women. Ellington filed an emergency order of protection against Martin in late May, 2020.
According to a Facebook posting by her church, Ellington belonged to Ekklesia Christian Life Ministries and was remembered as a kind, gentle soul “who helped deliver food and essentials to the homeless.”
It is not known whether Ellington was aware of the prior restraining orders other women had filed against Martin, or of his prior domestic arrests. Martin was extradited to Kentucky and is facing charges for murder, domestic violence, tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse.
Martin pled not guilty and bond was originally set at $500,000. The county argued that Martin’s “extensive criminal history, including domestic violence, warrants a higher bond.” The judge agreed and increased bond to $1 million, considering Martin could also be a flight risk.
The whole scenario is like an episode of Dateline. The picture is noteworthy because Martin looks like an average black man. He doesn’t look “crazy.” Charles Manson is a good example of someone who looked crazy, but let’s face it. Most killers don’t look obviously dangerous. According to Chief White, Martin indicated that, “As grotesque as it might sound, that he still wanted to be with at least part of her.”
Other issues are worth pondering. The bus trip from Louisville to Chicago was reported as five hours long. Chief White stated, “There were some early reports of a foul odor coming from the bags,” but it is not clear who all noticed. Did anyone notice on the bus? Perhaps social distancing prevented that.
The fact that Martin’s mother turned her son in to authorities is also noteworthy. Obviously, her son would be arrested and likely charged with murder. This is quite controversial about whether to call the police on your child. Although Martin is a grown man, he will always be her son. How many times have we seen in the news, how a mother denies her son was involved in a shooting despite him being caught on surveillance camera showing otherwise?
The incident also reminded me of when the Unabomber’s brother reported him to authorities. A sibling connection can be rivalrous throughout a lifetime. However, the mother and son connection is umbilical. Realizing that your son is likely a killer and reporting him to authorities cuts the cord in a whole different way. It brings a whole new level to, “If you see something, say something.”
References: Chicago Tribune & WDRB Media, Louisville, KY.
Murder and then dismemberment are extremely disturbing crimes. The bail bond of 500k did not seem high enough for such a heinous crime. Good thing it was doubled.
The fact that he kept some body parts with him because he still wanted to be with part of her suggests that this person has not been appropriately socialized.
Plus his record also points to escalating activity because he could get away with similar crimes and then be released. This reminds me of the current state of the correction of criminals in Cook County. Very bad and scary.
Mom did the right thing in spite of cutting the umbilical cord, so to speak. If this person would kill in this manner then he may do it again, and mom could have been the next vic.
There is still a world out there besides politics and Covid-19. This article underscores that thought very well.
Thank you. Apparently, the police were called right away. It’s good the mom didn’t wait until her son came home. There’s no way of explaining this away. What an awful find.
Are you kidding? I would not hesitate for one minute to call the police if I found something like that. If he did it to that person, how do I know I wouldn’t be next?
This is one example where blood is not thicker than water.
Just goes to show how crazy the world can be. I think the mother showed great common sense when she called the police. God only knows what could have happened if they would have confronted him alone when he came home. The courts should be very careful to err on the side of caution with people like this because they can’t be trusted.
Yes. I imagined scenarios of him coming home and the family confronting him. He could have had a gun and killed them to keep quiet. Or, he could have ran out the door and there’d be a manhunt underway. Thankfully, it turned out as it did, however, it’s awful for both families.
We called her Dee, she was one of my good friends, she loved to do hair & loved to cook, she was a lovin caring woman! I miss her everyday! He will NEVER be forgiven, I sincerely hopes he rots! 😭
Heather, I’m sorry for the loss of your friend – especially this time of year when we think even more of loved ones we’ve lost. This situation was disturbing enough (and close to home) that it prompted me to write about it. We need to heed all warning signs in relationships.