Marisa Utterback, 30, Arrested for Murdering Yashua Martinez

Publish date: 2024-05-18

On Wednesday, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office made an announcement stating that charges have been filed against Marisa Utterback of Fremont, a 30-year-old suspect, in relation to the death of Yashua Martinez in September of 2022. 

Martinez, a 27-year-old man from La Vista, was found dead on Highway 275 south of Morningside Road near Fremont. 

The charges filed by the Dodge County Attorney’s Office against Utterback include manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid, tampering with evidence, and several other traffic violations. 

The investigation was conducted by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol, Fremont Police Department, and La Vista Police. Utterback was arrested in March 2023 and charged with murder, reckless driving, and other accident-related charges in connection with Martinez’s death.

Marisa Utterback Arrested For Murdering Yashua Martinez

On September 22, 2022, construction crews discovered an unidentified male body on Highway 275 near Morningside Road. 

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office was alerted and closed the highway for approximately seven hours for the investigation, along with the Douglas County Crime Lab. It was determined that the man had died due to a vehicle collision, and the body was identified two days later as 27-year-old Yashya Martinez of La Vista.

The investigation showed that Martinez’s body was likely on the road for at least four days. Lab technicians discovered large silver car parts at the scene and a silver paint chip on the victim’s shoe. 

According to a search warrant, investigators found a silver Jeep at a local body shop. The owner of the Jeep, Marisa Utterback, said that she hit a deer on September 19 and brought the SUV to the body shop.

However, investigators noted that the damage was inconsistent with a car-deer crash, and the car parts found on the crime scene were missing. Utterback’s neighbor recalled seeing the silver Jeep in her driveway on September 18, with damage to the front and windshield and blood on the vehicle.

As a result of the investigation, Utterback was arrested for the hit-and-run murder of Martinez. The Fremont woman was responsible for the motor vehicle homicide of the La Vista man in September 2022. 

According to the Dodge County Attorney’s Office, Utterback faces five felony charges, including murder, reckless driving, failing to render aid, leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with evidence, and other traffic violations.

The charges filed against Utterback were the result of an extensive investigation conducted by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol, Fremont Police Department, and La Vista Police. 

The investigation involved analyzing evidence from the crime scene, including car parts, paint chips, and DNA samples, as well as interviewing witnesses and conducting searches of Utterback’s property.

Utterback’s arrest brings some closure to Martinez’s family, who have been waiting for justice since his death. The case highlights the importance of responsible driving and the devastating consequences of hit-and-run accidents. 

It also serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies are committed to holding those responsible for such crimes accountable, no matter how long it takes to bring them to justice.

Is Marisa Utterback Still In Jail?

Marisa Utterback, who was arrested for the hit-and-run murder of Yashya Martinez, has been released on bail after paying 10% of the $250,000 bond. 

The 30-year-old Fremont woman faces charges of insurance fraud for filing a false claim that she hit a deer. In addition, authorities have taken away Utterback’s cell phone to track its location at the time of the incident. The trial for the murder of Martinez is scheduled for a future date.

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