ID released for homicide victim found dead near storage facility in east Kennewick

Investigators have released the identity of a 47-year-old Pasco homicide victim, who was found dead near an east Kennewick storage facility.

Ezquiliel “Chico” Martinez was discovered out in the open near the intersection of East 10th Avenue and East Yew Street about 6:30 p.m. on March 14.

An autopsy conducted in Snohomish County determined he was killed, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators have not revealed how it happened.

Investigators are trying to trace where Martinez was before he was killed, Lt. Mike Clark told the Herald. The last place a witness saw him alive was around A Street and 18th Avenue in Pasco. It’s unclear how long that was before he died.

They are hoping to find anyone who talked with him during the last two months so they can build a timeline.

Martinez has also lived in Kennewick and in Texas, according to public records. He does have a history of misdemeanor crimes, most recently in 2021 for trespassing and resisting arrest.

Anyone who saw or spoke with Martinez or has other information about the case is asked to contact Detective Cameron Boehning at 509-735-6555 ext 7201 or cameron.boehning@co.benton.wa.us or Detective C.J. Conner at 509-735-6555 ext. 7203 or cj.conner@co.benton.wa.us.

This story was originally published March 23, 2023 at 11:57 AM.