[4] After responding to a 9-1-1 call regarding a domestic dispute, officers discovered Martens' dismembered remains partially wrapped in a burning blanket in her mother's apartment.

[1][2] The same day, the Albuquerque Police Department announced a fourth unidentified male suspect was being sought in connection to the case based on DNA evidence recovered from the scene.

[4] Her mother, Michelle Martens, did not have a criminal record in New Mexico,[4][10][11] but later told investigators she would seek men online to engage in sexual acts with her two children, including Victoria, while she allegedly watched for pleasure.

[16][17] Michelle Martens allegedly met Fabian Gonzales on an internet dating service, Plenty Of Fish, about a month prior to the killing.

[12] Shortly after, at approximately 4:30 a.m. on August 24, Michelle Martens and Fabian Gonzales left the apartment and reported to neighbors that Kelley had attacked them with an iron.

[8] Upon opening the door, the responding officers discovered the dismembered body of Victoria Martens partially wrapped in a burning blanket.

[5][21] Martens had been given alcohol and methamphetamine prior to her death, according to her mother, in order "to calm her down so [Fabian Gonzales and Jessica Kelley] could have sex with her", though she later recanted this statement.

On June 29, 2018, Bernalillo County District Attorney Raúl Torrez announced that Michelle Martens accepted a plea bargain to one count of child abuse resulting in death.

"[3] During the conference, the Albuquerque Police Department announced that a fourth unidentified male suspect was sought in relation to the death of Victoria Martens based on unknown DNA evidence recovered from the scene.

[28] Jessica Kelley agreed to testify in Gonzales' trail as part of a plea deal that was struck in early 2019, where she pled guilty to several charges including reckless child abuse resulting in death.

[29] In July 2017, the CPOA investigation discovered that one of the police spokespersons held correct information about the case but fabricated details in the January statements given to the Albuquerque Journal.

[12][36] In August 2017, Martens's maternal grandparents filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the 2nd District Court against the City of Albuquerque and several named police officers.