Florida landscaper accused of murdering girlfriend had claimed she’d been picked up by ICE
Saul Garcia Gonzalez, 40, was charged with second-degree murder on Wednesday. Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office
A Florida landscaper accused of killing the mother of his young child allegedly tried to convince others that she was missing because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had taken her into custody, authorities say.
Saul Garcia Gonzalez, 40, a Mexican national, reportedly came up with the story after allegedly shooting Nerida Martel, 37, in the head and dumping her body in a Miami canal last month, according to a police report obtained by WPLG.
According to the report, Gonzalez told friends and family he believed Martel was in ICE custody, likely hoping to explain her sudden disappearance. When her name did not appear in custody records, he was persuaded by friends to officially report her missing on October 9 — three days after he claimed to last see her dropping off their 2-year-old daughter at daycare.
Two days later, Martel’s body was discovered in a canal near their home, with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators quickly found inconsistencies in Gonzalez’s story. The report noted that Martel had recently reached out to a friend looking for a place to stay with her daughter and that her family was aware Gonzalez had been verbally abusive.
Phone records also placed Gonzalez near the canal around the time Martel disappeared.
Gonzalez was arrested Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder. He was booked Thursday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he remains held without bond. Authorities have not clarified why he suggested Martel had been taken by ICE or whether she was in the U.S. illegally.
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