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by James Roberts A body discovered in the back seat of a car following a routine stop for speeding triggered off investigations by sheriffs’ departments in both Odessa and Andrews here over the weekend. Highway Patrolman Buff Angel stopped a car shortly before ten o'clock Saturday night ten miles south of Andrews. After talking with the driver, Refugio Fuentes of Andrews, Angel made a routine check of the car and found the body face down in the rear floorboard. The body was identified as Celestino O. Martinez, 51, of 500 SE Avenue B in Andrews and a next door neighbor of Fuentes. According to Fuentes he was rushing toward An drews at a high rate of speed in order to obtain medical services for his neighbor. Martinez was pronounc ed dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Jay Williams. An autopsy was later ordered by Williams, Fuentes told Andrews authorities that he and Martinez went to Odessa earlier in the day to meet Martinez’ son, Paul, who was slated to come to Odessa via bus from Fort Stockton. When the pair were unable to locate the son, they went to a bar located on Magnolia street in Odessa. Sometime during the evening, Martinez left while Fuentes continued to talk to a cousin, Manuel Arias. A short time later, according to Fuentes, Martinez appeared at the doorway to the bar and motioned Fuentes to come outside. Martinez told his neighbor that he was sick and wanted to go at once to Andrews. The two got into Martinez’ car and started out. A short dis tance down Magnolia street, Martinez asked Fuentes to drive stating that he felt too sick to continue. Martinez climbed into the rear seat and Fuentes drove. At one stage on the trip to Andrews, Fuen tes attempted to talk to Martinez and when he did not receive an answer, speeded up the car. Angel told sheriff in vestigators that he gave chase to the vehicle for about seven miles before stopping it. The autopsy report late Sunday revealed that Mar tinez had died from mul tiple wounds about the head. The pathologist re ported the evidence of blood on the brain, in the lungs and throat, and death came as a result of strangulation from blood in the lungs. The sheriff's depart ment ordered X-Rays of the neck and head Monday. Investigations are continu ing by the sheriff’s office here and in Odessa. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in An drews for Martinez. Mar tinez was born September 1, 1916 in Kennedy. He had resided in Andrews about four years, moving here from Kermit. He was employed at the Spec Roberts Radiator Shop. He is survived by his wife, Eduvigne Martinez: three daughters, Olga Big bee of Irving, Grace and Nora Martinez of the home. See BODY, Page 8
Newspaper Details
Andrews County News
Andrews, Texas, US
Thu, Jul 18, 1968
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Tim G.
USA 30 Aug 2025
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