Female Survives After Having Her Throat Slashed and Being Left for Dead

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: August 4, 2009
Contact: Press Information Officer Jason Zuhlke
Subject: Female Survives After Having Her Throat Slashed and Being Left for Dead

Whittier, CA. – At 3:30am this morning, a 20-year-old female woke residents in the area of 6000 Altmark Avenue after having her throat slashed and being left for dead somewhere in Turnbull Canyon. Christine Martinez, a female resident of Bellflower sustained a 4” laceration across her neck and suffered numerous abrasions and head contusions from an unknown object. Prior to being transported to USC medical center where she underwent emergency surgery, Martinez was able to paint a picture for investigators describing events.

According to the victim, she met some friends in Bellflower the previous evening and entered their green 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse to head to the beach. At this time, the Martinez was in the Mitsubishi with three Hispanic males who would later turn suspects. After a stop in El Monte, the suspects entered Whittier and tied her up and began beating her while she was still in the car. Eventually, the car stopped somewhere in Turnbull Canyon where she was untied and forced out of the vehicle. One suspect then slit her throat and dumped her body on the side of the road, leaving her for dead. The car fled and approximately 30 minutes later Martinez emerged.

Prior to the victim being transported to USC, she identified the suspects and a partial California license plate of the Mitsubishi. While checking the area for additional evidence, Officers saw the suspect vehicle pass by and ultimately conducted a traffic stop. In the car a shovel, rope, and all three suspects were located. All three suspects were arrested and booked for kidnapping and attempted murder and were identified as Vincent Mendoza (4-29-88), Edward Meraz (2-1-85), and Jose Ayala (3-18-82), all from El Monte.

Christine Martinez remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery.

Additional inquiries may be directed to PIO J. Zuhlke at (562) 244-2289.

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