After a decomposed body was found on Wednesday, June 27 at 9:00 a.m. that was unrecognizable to determine the identity on the scene, it was confirmed around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 30 by friend Miriam Loya that it was Denise Martin '18.
“After sitting down with Denise’s father, we’ve agreed that given the attention Denise’s case has gotten over the past week, the time has come to announce this publicly. It is with a heavy heart I say, that after hearing from officials, it has been confirmed that the body found was in fact Denise’s,” said Loya in a Facebook post on Satruday, June 30 at 9:10 p.m.
While searching for Martin, the Virginia Beach Police Department's (VBPD) Detective Bureau, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Virginia Beach Community Emergency Response Team discovered her along the wooded area of the 2500 block of Edgehill Avenue, near where she disappeared on June 19.
Martin was turned over the Medical Examiner’s office to determine the cause of death and identity.
“Regarding the June 27th death investigation on Edgehill Avenue, the decedent has been identified as Denise Jolie Martin,” said VBPD Public Affairs Officer Linda Kuehn.
The cause of Martin’s death has not been released.
“There is no suspicion of foul play at this time,” said Kuehn.
Martin went missing on June 19 from her home in the Redmill, Virginia area, leaving behind her phone, wallet and keys, according to Loya.
Loya along with others took to social media to help search for Martin starting the group #BringDeniseHome that gained a following of 1,852 members.
“We ask that in this time and in the weeks to come, family and friends- keeping in mind those of us that took to social media as a means to helping in the search- are given the time to begin the healing process and mourn the loss of a beautiful daughter, sister, girlfriend and friend,” said Loya on Facebook.
Martin was 22-years old and graduated from Longwood University in May.
Continue to follow The Rotunda as this is a developing story.
