Cristian Martinez, a 20-year-old Muscatine man, was reported missing on April 15, 2023, after he was last seen in downtown Iowa City around 12:56 a.m. His body was found in the Iowa River near Napoleon Park on April 22, 2023, by a couple who alerted the authorities. The Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his identity on April 24, 2023. However, his cause of death is still under investigation and pending the results of an autopsy.
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A Night Out with Friends
According to his older brother, Jerry Martinez, Cristian Martinez traveled to Iowa City to hang out with friends, something that he did not often do. He usually stayed the night and returned home in the morning. Jerry Martinez said he texted his brother around 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, asking if he had a good evening. He did not get the quick response he normally got from his younger brother. He said he called his brother and realized his phone was dead. That’s when he became concerned and checked with his mother and Cristian’s friends. Cristian’s friends believed he had returned home to Muscatine, Jerry Martinez said.
A Search for a Missing Person
The Iowa City Police Department launched a search for Cristian Martinez after receiving a report of a missing person on April 16, 2023. They reviewed surveillance footage from downtown Iowa City and found that Cristian Martinez was last seen walking southbound on South Linn Street near the intersection of East Burlington Street at approximately 12:56 a.m. on April 15, 2023. They also obtained information that indicated he could have fallen into the river while intoxicated and been unable to escape the water. They searched the river and its banks with the help of the Johnson County Metro Dive Team, the Iowa City Fire Department, and the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency. They also asked for the public’s assistance in locating Cristian Martinez or providing any information about his whereabouts.
A Body Recovered from the River
On April 22, 2023, around 4:30 p.m., the Iowa City Police Department received a report from a couple who had located a body on the bank of the Iowa River near Napoleon Park on the city’s south side. Officers responded to the scene and confirmed that the body matched the description of Cristian Martinez. The body was transported to the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and examination. On April 24, 2023, the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office announced that the body recovered from the Iowa River was positively identified as Cristian Martinez.
A Cause of Death Still Unknown
The Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office said that Cristian Martinez’s cause of death is still under investigation and is pending results from an autopsy. They did not provide any details about when the autopsy would be completed or what factors they were considering in determining the cause of death. They also did not comment on whether there were any signs of foul play or injury on Cristian Martinez’s body.
A Tragic Loss for Family and Friends
Cristian Martinez’s family and friends are mourning his death and seeking answers about what happened to him. His brother, Jerry Martinez, described him as a kind, funny, and caring person who loved music and sports. He said he hoped that his brother’s death would serve as a lesson for others to be careful and stay safe when going out at night. He also thanked everyone who helped in the search for Cristian Martinez and expressed his gratitude for the support and prayers they received from the community.
The Iowa City Police Department said that anyone experiencing difficulty with this tragic event is encouraged to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to be connected with a crisis counselor. You may also chat with a crisis counselor 24 hours day, seven days a week at [988lifeline.org/chat].
