Remembering Michelle Martinko

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

Remembering Michelle Martinko who was found murdered around 4am on December 20, 1979 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The police discovered her body in the parking lot of the Westdale Mall. The Kennedy High School senior had been stabbed to death in the family Buick.

Michelle Martinko was repeatedly stabbed most notably in her face and chest. She was just eighteen years old.

From Iowa Cold Cases: “On June 19, 1980, police released a composite sketch of the man they believed stabbed Martinko. Police developed the sketch based on descriptions provided by two witnesses. The sketch indicated a white male in his late teens or early 20s, weighing between 165 and 175 pounds, and standing about 6 feet tall.”

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

In 2006, the Cedar Rapids Police Department announced that they had DNA in Michelle’s case. They asked the public for tips and help to find this male suspect. You can find the sketch on Jody Ewing’s “Iowa Cold Cases (link above).” Despite the many tips, none produced the lead the authorities need to solve Michelle’s murder.

From the Cedar Rapids Gazette, June 19, 1980

Please do take a look at Jody Ewing’s blog and if you can, share that post on your social media accounts. Someone might have moved away from the Cedar rapids area not knowing that there is a composite sketch available. For your convenience, here below is the sketch.

Michelle has not been forgotten by her friends and family. In fact, they contacted me. I have permission to use these two beautiful pictures of Michelle on my blog.

Keep Michelle in your thoughts as the 36th anniversary of her murder approaches during the Holiday Season. This is always a very hard time for victim family members. Knowing that their loved ones are not forgotten, helps.