Bio

Alexander Rey Martinez was born on June 16, 1976. He was adopted when he was 15 months old. He grew up with his adoptive mother, Velma Griffin. Martinez claimed that he faced verbal and physical abuse from her. He stated that he was beaten regularly. However, Griffin denied these allegations.

Martinez had a promising start in life. He was a Boy Scout and even had the opportunity to address the Texas Senate. However, his childhood took a downturn after his adoptive parents divorced when he was nine years old. After the divorce, he lost contact with his family. He felt abandoned, and he claimed his life "just fell apart."

As a teenager, Martinez struggled in school. He dropped out after the ninth grade and began using inhalants like spray paint. His teenage years were filled with troubles, and he was often in conflict with the law. By the time he was 15 years old, he had already been arrested for stealing cars. He went in and out of jail and prison due to various offenses, including attempted murder in 1994 for stabbing a co-worker. He received a seven-year sentence for that crime.

After serving about a year in prison, he was paroled. He faced more legal issues shortly after leaving prison and went back for violating parole. In July 2001, he was released again. Martinez struggled to adapt to life outside prison and had difficulty finding stable work.

Murder Story

On August 12, 2001, Alexander Rey Martinez contacted Helen Joyce Oliveros, a 45-year-old prostitute, and arranged for her to come to his house in Houston, Texas, for $300. When she arrived, they discussed the payment. The conversation quickly turned into an argument when Martinez claimed he would not pay her the agreed amount. Angered, Oliveros attempted to leave, but Martinez reacted by brandishing a knife against her neck.

During their struggle, Martinez stabbed Oliveros, cutting her throat and causing her death. After the murder, he took $150 from her belongings. Around two days later, her naked body was discovered inside two garbage bags in a vacant field.

Shortly after this incident, on August 23, 2001, Martinez attacked his stepmother, Maria, slashing her throat as well, but she survived. He was arrested on the same day and ultimately confessed to both attacks.

A search of Martinez's bedroom revealed significant blood evidence, which matched that of Oliveros. In court, he was convicted of capital murder on December 16, 2002, for the killing of Oliveros. On March 3, 2004, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals confirmed his conviction and death sentence. Martinez later chose to waive all further appeals.

He was executed by lethal injection on June 7, 2005. As his final meal, he requested a cheeseburger, scrambled eggs, and various other foods. In his last words, he expressed love for his family and friends and acknowledged the pain he caused, particularly apologizing to the family of his victim.