Missing 82-year-old Vermont woman allegedly sexually abused, killed and burned by neighbor

What began with the search for missing grandmother Roberta Martin ended with the arrest of a 23-year-old man who is now accused of brutally murdering her, police said

A Vermont man faces murder charges after being accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 82-year-old neighbor and then burning and burying her remains, authorities said.

On Thursday, July 25, Darren Martell, 23, of St. Albans, was arrested and charged the following day with aggravated murder in connection with the death of Roberta Martin of Enosburgh, Vermont, state police said in a statement.

Martell appeared in St. Albans court on Friday, July 26, and pleaded not guilty, WCAX, the Concord Monitor and the Associated Press report.

He made his confession in front of Martin’s family and friends, who were “noticeably emotional” and watched the trial, WCAX reports.

Martin was reported missing by a neighbor on Wednesday, July 17, the VSP said in an earlier statement. Martin’s family members had last spoken to her by phone at 11:30 p.m. the previous evening, police said.

Police described her disappearance as “suspicious” in subsequent updates on the case. Investigators found signs of a break-in at her home, the VSP said.

The day after Martin’s disappearance, Martell was seen on camera speaking to police, WCAX reports.

On Sunday, July 21, Martin’s body was found in a wooded area off Sand Hill Road in Enosburgh, near Martin’s home, VSP said.

Related: Remains found by police believed to be those of missing Vermont woman who disappeared under ‘suspicious’ circumstances

Martell allegedly sexually abused Martin and then killed her, the VSP said.

Her remains were cremated and then buried, authorities said, NBC 5 reports.

On Monday, July 22, Martell was arrested and charged with alleged lewd and lascivious conduct after witnesses said he masturbated in public, VSP said.

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On Tuesday, July 23, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was held on $500 bail at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.

He was still in jail when he was arrested and charged in connection with Martin’s death. Martell is scheduled to appear in court again next week.

It is unclear whether he has hired an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to Rainn.org.

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