Medical examiner’s office confirms death of Leticia Martinez-Cosman
Published 3:40 pm Friday, April 14, 2023
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the death of 58-year-old Leticia Martinez-Cosman following the discovery of a deceased person in Renton on April 11.
The Seattle Police Department’s investigation of Martinez-Cosman’s disappearance following a Mariners game on March 31 led detectives to the discovery of her remains on April 11.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office declared Martinez-Cosman’s death a homicide as a result of asphyxia due to strangulation. She died in Renton.
A picture of Martinez-Cosman at the Friday Mariners game showed her sitting next to 46-year-old Brett Michael Gitchel.
Seattle police arrested Gitchel on April 5 at a Costco in Shoreline after employees recognized him for his connection in the theft of diamonds from a separate Costco in Seattle the day previous.
King County prosecutors charged Gitchel for various incidents in connection to Martinez-Cosman’s disappearance including the kidnapping and assault of Martinez-Cosman’s adult disabled son, the burning of her vehicle and the theft of diamonds from Costco.
The charges include first-degree attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, theft, and second-degree arson.
According to Casey McNerthney, director of communications for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecutors plan to amend Gitchel’s charges to add a count of murder in the second degree for the murder of Leticia Martinez-Cosman.
King County prosecutors have also charged Gitchel with burglary in the second degree for a separate West Seattle incident on March 28 unrelated to the disappearance of Martinez-Cosman. King County prosecutors received a case referral for the burglary incident after Gitchel’s arrest in the Martinez-Cosman case, according to McNerthney.
Gitchel remains in the King County Jail with his bail set at $5 million and arraignment scheduled for April 24.
