Police seek public’s help in Tampa murder case

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Authorities hope a larger reward will help solve the mysterious kidnapping and killing of a Tampa Bay man who left home in December to get Chinese food for his pregnant wife and never returned.

Tampa police announced the $25,000 reward Tuesday and asked for the public’s help in solving the case.

Police say a short time after 34-year-old Martinez-Rodriguez left home that day, a neighbor sent Kacee Martinez a text message about a suspicious man in a nearby alley. She found a grocery bag in the driveway. Eight days later her husband’s body was found inside his abandoned car.

Their son, Emilio Jose Martinez Jr., was born four months ago.

Police have said they don’t believe this was a random crime.

Source: Associated Press