Cousins of Murdered Teen Arrested After His Body Is Found Wrapped in Comforter Near Highway

11/12/2024 09:11 AM

Edgar Martínez was found dead on Saturday, Nov. 9 just days before he was due to celebrate his 19th birthday

The cousins of a Connecticut teenager whose body was found wrapped in a comforter on the side of the highway have been charged following his death, PEOPLE can confirm.

On Saturday, Nov. 9 at around 7:09 a.m. local time, Hartford Police Department responded to reports of a body found in the area of 80 Pope Park Highway, a release obtained by PEOPLE stated.

Police identified the victim as Edgar Josué Chiche Martínez, of Hartford, who was days away from celebrating his 19th birthday on Nov. 14 when he died.

"The Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions responded and began an investigation. The body was transported to The Chief Medical Examiner's Office, where it was learned that the victim was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds," the police release said.

Authorities added, "It is believed that the body had been placed on Pope Park Highway approximately 24 hours prior to the discovery. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the incident occurred approximately one day earlier, in an apartment inside 158 Magnolia Street."

The victim's family told NBC Connecticut that the late teenager lived in the Magnolia Street property with his cousins, who have been charged following his death.

Police confirmed Sender Soto-Veliz, 21, has been charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence, while a 17-year-old male — who hasn't been identified — was facing charges of murder and tampering with evidence.

Soto-Veliz's bond has been set at $500,000, the release stated. He is suspected of helping the unnamed teenager dispose of the body, police lieutenant Aaron Boisvert confirmed to PEOPLE.

"What we do want is for earthly justice to be made because God's justice is on the other side," the victim's aunt, Verónica Imelda Martínez Mayen, told NBC Connecticut on Monday.

"He stayed away from parties, [he was] very friendly," she added, insisting Martínez wasn't one to get into trouble.

The victim's sister, Nimsa Martínez, told the outlet, "He was the person who always took care of me, despite him not being OK. I'm going to remember him as the most beautiful person I could've ever known."

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After the victim's body was found, the two suspects were located later on Saturday at around 7:35 p.m. driving along Park Terrace, police said in the release.

The release stated, "At approximately 7:35 p.m., members of the Hartford Police Vice and Narcotics Division, Community Patrol Division and Southwest Community Service Officers located the suspect vehicle traveling on Park Terrace."

"The suspect vehicle was stopped and the suspects were taken into custody," it added.

The teenager facing charges is expected to have his case transferred to adult court, Boisvert told PEOPLE.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.