On the evening of March 4, 2025, 32-year-old Karina Martinez-Ortiz was found in the first-floor hallway in front of her apartment at 438 Bolton Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency responders took her to St. Luke’s Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

Massachusetts State Police detectives and New Bedford Police identified 49-year-old neighbor Wilo Morales-Colon as the alleged perpetrator; the two had been involved in a past personal relationship. An arrest warrant was obtained, Morales-Colon was located in Springfield in the early morning hours of March 6 and taken into custody. He was charged with murder and unlawful carrying of a firearm and was arraigned in New Bedford District Court, where he was ordered held without bail.

Family and friends remembered Martinez-Ortiz as strong, resilient and loving; a GoFundMe was set up to assist her family and described her as humble and helpful. If anyone knew Karina or has information about what happened that evening, please share what you know.