On the evening of March 4, 2025, a tragic event unfolded in a New Bedford, Massachusetts, apartment building, ending the life of 32-year-old Hispanic female, Karina Martinez-Ortiz. Police responded to a call around 6:20 p.m. at 438 Bolton Street, where they discovered Martinez-Ortiz in the first-floor hallway in front of her apartment, suffering from obvious gunshot wounds. Emergency responders administered life-saving measures and transported her to St.
Luke's Hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.
The investigation into the homicide quickly pointed to a suspect. Massachusetts State Police detectives, along with New Bedford Police, identified 49-year-old Wilo Morales-Colon as the alleged perpetrator. Morales-Colon was a neighbor of Martinez-Ortiz and the two had been involved in a past personal relationship. An arrest warrant was secured, and Morales-Colon was located and taken into custody in Springfield in the early morning hours of March 6. He was subsequently charged with murder and unlawful carrying of a firearm.
In the wake of her death, those who knew Karina Martinez-Ortiz remembered her as a strong, resilient, and brave woman. A GoFundMe page was established to assist her family, describing her as a humble and helpful person with a pure heart, full of love for those around her. The fundraiser highlighted the legacy of charisma, love, and forgiveness she left behind. Following his arrest, Wilo Morales-Colon was arraigned in New Bedford District Court and ordered to be held without bail as the legal proceedings against him commenced.
