Aileen Martinez, a 20-year-old woman, had her life tragically cut short in what police have described as a murder-suicide in Davie, Florida. A dedicated student at the Aveda Institute, she was pursuing her passion for cosmetology with dreams of one day opening her own salon. Beyond her studies in beauty, Martinez was a passionate musician who had spent four years studying music and performing with bands at various events across South Florida.
Music was described by her family as a defining part of her life and identity.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 27, 2026, a chaotic scene unfolded in the parking lot of the cosmetology school. Martinez was fatally shot by her 25-year-old ex-boyfriend, Jose Orpi of Pembroke Pines. After shooting Martinez, Orpi turned the gun on himself. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation by the Davie Police Department confirmed that Martinez and Orpi had previously been in a relationship.
In the wake of the tragedy, Martinez's family spoke out, condemning the violence and stalking that led to her death. They revealed that after she had broken up with Orpi the previous fall, he had been calling her excessively, to the point where she had considered changing her phone number. The family expressed their profound grief, stating that no parent should have to bury their child and that no one should have to live in fear for choosing to leave a relationship. While the investigation remains ongoing, authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
