23-year-old Vermont man charged with sexual assault, murder and burning of 82-year-old woman: authorities

Darren Martell has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with the death of Enosburgh resident Roberta Martin while he was incarcerated at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.

According to the Vermont State PoliceAuthorities were trying to speak to Martell about Martin’s death when they discovered him “in a wooded area” near a local school and “observed him masturbating on the side of a public footpath.” He reportedly “ran into the woods” when investigators approached him before the school was put on lockdown and he was found a short time later.

He was initially accused of lewd and lascivious behavior, and on Thursday he was also charged with aggravated murder. Martell pleaded not guilty on Friday.

State police began their investigation into Martin’s death earlier this month after the victim’s daughter asked for a welfare check on July 17 when she could not reach her mother, according to court documents viewed by My NBC 5Police reportedly found duct tape on the bedroom floor, “drag cart” tracks leading away from the property, and other “abnormal” signs in the house.

Per VT excavatorCiting an affidavit, police later found human remains that “appeared to be burned” while following up on a tip from an acquaintance of Martell’s – who reportedly lived in a mobile home on a nearby property. Tests confirmed the remains belonged to Martin, while a semen sample from the body reportedly matched Martell.

In the documents, Assistant District Attorney Diane Wheeler alleged that Martell “on or about July 17, 2024, was a person who murdered another human being and simultaneously committed a sexual assault, namely: unlawfully killing Roberta Martin.”

A public defender representing Martell on Friday said in court, “Although there is probable cause based on DNA that a sexual act occurred, there is no evidence of non-consensual sex within the four corners of the affidavit.” However, the judge still felt there was enough information to support the charge of aggravated murder.

The affidavit also states that those who know Martell described him as “psychotic” and “certainly capable of killing someone.” He also allegedly has a history of torturing animals… and asked his partner’s grandmother to provide him with an alibi if needed. It was reportedly his partner’s sister who called Vermont State Police because she believed he might be a suspect.

A status conference has been scheduled for September 4.