Police: 3 ‘edge weapons' used in Gage Park family massacre
CHICAGO (FOX 32 / AP) — Mexico's consulate in Chicago says the father of two children found dead with their mother and three adults in their home last week is headed from Mexico to Chicago for the funerals. Police say they'll speak to him, but that he's not a suspect.
FOX 32 has also learned that one of the neighbors may have provided police some key information about a loud noise and a woman screaming that could be a factor in helping police put a time on the murders. And though police believe they now know about when this brutal crime happened, they don't want to reveal that information at this stage of the investigation.
It was last Tuesday night between 8 and 9 p.m. that a neighbor, who asked not to be identified, recalled hearing a loud noise that she believes could have been a gun shot. Another family member also recalled hearing a woman scream right around the same time.
That would fit with other information police have gathered including what they learned from the Facebook page of Noe Martinez Jr. His last post was at 5:32 a.m. Tuesday in Spanish, when translated it said: "Very good morning friends, Happy Tuesday.” His bosses confirmed he was at work that day until 2:30 p.m.
Police have now revealed they are poring over 36 hours of video gathered from city cameras, private homes and businesses, as well as CTA buses hoping it sheds some light on who went in the Martinez family home and when. One theory now being explored is that the killings happened over several hours.
Police now also say evidence shows three knives and one gun were used to kill the six Martinez family members.
“We have tons of evidence, physical, biological and video and other people that need to be interviewed before we can knock down a motive at this time,” said Lt. Ozzie Valdez.
A long gun was recovered from the home, but is not thought to have been used in Maria Herminia Martinez’s shooting.
Meanwhile, a private contractor went into the home Wednesday to try and remove all traces of a murder, so family members can collect valuables without being further traumatized.
“Our main objective is to make sure the house is entirely clean so when the family does come in, they can see everything inside the house and make sure, whatever they need to see. But we don't want them to see any unfortunate situations that have happened here,” said Bill Muir of Bio-One.
Crisis responders are trying to help relatives as best they can.
“I always say it's an unfortunate journey that these families didn't ask to be a part of, they don't know what to do, what do we do next and that's why we exist, so we can help them with what they do next,” said crisis responder Dawn Valenti.
One other interesting thing FOX 32 learned is that police recovered Maria Martinez’s car, but it was found parked somewhere away from the home. However, there were no obvious signs inside like blood that would suggest the killer or killers stole it and dumped it.
Consulate official Marcelino Miranda told The Associated Press Wednesday the U.S. granted father Manuel Armando Cruz a humanitarian visa. He was expected to arrive late Wednesday and attend Sunday funeral services. The six bodies would be buried later in Mexico.
Investigators believe the family was "targeted." But no one's been arrested.
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi added Wednesday that authorities know the father wasn't in the U.S. at the time. He says Cruz isn't a suspect but that authorities are speaking to everyone they can for any clues.