Posted on September 21, 2018

Man Charged in Killing of DC Woman in ‘Unprovoked’ Attack

Dakin Andone, CNN, September 21, 2018

A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of a Washington woman who was jogging Tuesday evening, according to DC police.

Wendy Martinez, who was recently engaged, was stabbed to death in what looked to be an “unprovoked attack,” Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham said in a news conference Thursday morning.

Wendy Martinez

Newsham said Martinez, 35, {snip} was jogging Tuesday night when she was stabbed at the intersection of 11th and P Streets, just before 8 p.m. She managed to enter a carryout restaurant nearby, where community members, including a nurse, Newsham said, attempted to tend to her wounds.

She was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Based on surveillance footage and tips from the community — which Newsham said were key to the case — detectives were able to quickly identify the suspect as Anthony Crawford.

{snip}

Thursday morning, Crawford was arrested and charged with murder while armed in Martinez’s death, Newsham said.

Investigators have yet to uncover a motive, Newsham added.

{snip}

Martinez’s death comes just weeks after the killing of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts. The University of Iowa student disappeared while out running in July, prompting an extensive search by authorities. Her body was found last month. The suspect in her killing pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

Anthony Crawford (probably)