Maria Lopez, 32, was discovered lifeless in her North Austin apartment on February 20, 2026, after neighbors reported a foul odor; investigators say she suffered multiple stab wounds and that her former boyfriend, John Martinez, 35, was arrested the following day.
Background
Friends of Lopez say she and Martinez ended their relationship in late 2025 following a series of heated arguments that escalated to physical threats, according to statements collected by the Austin Police Department (APD).
Lopez, a 32‑year‑old marketing specialist who lived alone in the apartment complex on Airport Blvd, was known for her involvement in local volunteer groups and had no prior criminal record. Neighbors described her as friendly and noted that she often returned home late after work.
The APD crime scene team found a broken kitchen knife, blood spatter patterns consistent with a close‑range attack, and a set of footprints leading to a second‑floor balcony, which forensic analysts later matched to Martinez’s shoe size.
The Charges
John Martinez was taken into custody by APD detectives and is currently charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and capital murder, allegedly committed during the course of a domestic dispute, under Texas Penal Code §§ 19.02 and 19.04.
Forensic testing of the knife recovered DNA belonging to Martinez, as well as his fingerprints on the balcony railing, further linked him to the scene. Surveillance footage from a nearby building captured a figure matching Martinez’s description entering the complex on the night of the murder.
The investigation is being coordinated with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the FBI’s Austin Field Office, which have provided additional forensic support and are reviewing potential ties to prior domestic violence reports filed against Martinez.
Key Takeaways
- Victim: Maria Lopez, 32, Austin resident, found dead February 20, 2026.
- Suspect: John Martinez, 35, former boyfriend, arrested February 21, 2026.
- Evidence: Murder weapon, DNA on the knife, matching footprints, and threatening text messages exchanged between Lopez and Martinez.
- Legal Status: Martinez is charged with capital murder and aggravated assault, held without bail pending a preliminary hearing.
What's Next
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2026, in Travis County District Court, where a judge will determine whether Martinez will remain in custody and whether additional charges, such as unlawful restraint, may be filed based on the text message evidence.