Prime suspect in murder of missing pregnant teen walks free -- as no body can be found
Police in California say they believe missing teen Victoria Marquina was murdered
Authorities in Amador County, California say they believe a missing Sutter Creek teen was murdered by a 22-year-old man who possibly impregnated the underage girl — but they cannot bring charges against the prime suspect.
According to KTXL in Sacramento, Amador County sheriffs say they arrested 22-year-old Joshua Martinez on Friday on suspicion of felony murder in the disappearance of 17-year-old Victoria Marquina.
Marquina disappeared in October of last year just days before her birthday.
Around the time the girl disappeared, Marquina's family said she began talking to an older man online — later identified by police as Martinez.
According to the sheriff's office, 22-year-old Joshua Anthony Martinez was arrested Friday on suspicion of felony murder.
Amador County Sheriff's Office arrests man suspected of killing missing girl
KTXL Sacremento
However, despite police believing Martinez is responsible for the missing teen girl's murder, he was released from custody earlier this week.
According to CBS Sacramento, the Amador County District Attorney says they are unable to charge Martinez without Marquina's body.
"It is frustrating, it's heartbreaking for the family, we really want closure and our goal was a conviction," County Undersheriff Gary Redman told the outlet.
Marquina's whereabouts remains unknown.
So far, no one has come forward with any information on Victoria. Martinez went on to say he met Victoria on a dating site and she lied about her age.
Man Accused Of Killing Amador County Girl Victoria Marquina Walks Free From Jail
Martinez told CBS after walking free that he had no involvement in the missing teen girl's disappearance or apparent murder. He maintains he did not have a physical relationship with the teen, though detectives have said they believe Martinez impregnated the underage teen girl.
Following Marquina's disappearance last October, Martinez fled to Mexico where he was arrested on statutory rape charges earlier this year.
When asked why he fled, the 22-year-old claimed he was receiving death threats in the wake of the teen girl's disappearance.
"And I feel like I was just, you know, set up, whatever," Martinez told KTXL after being released. "You can check my background, I have a clean record. I've never done anything, I've never fought."
"We're frustrated. We want to find closure for the family. We want some answers," Amador County Undersheriff Gary Redman said.
Amador County Sheriff takes man believed to be connected to disappearance of missing girl back into custody for questioning
"I met her on a dating app and the dating app states that you have to be 18 or older," Martinez said of his relationship with the missing teen girl who was apparently murdered.
"...we never had sexual intercourse, we never did anything. She always wanted to, but I just chose not to because I thought it was weird, you know?"
"We have no victim at this point, so the District Attorney's Office can't proceed with a case when we've got no victim," an official with the sheriff's office told KTXL.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Amador County Sheriff's Office.
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