Aleah Kay Martin was 16 and a Glen Rose High School student described as a bright ray of sunshine who played saxophone in the Mighty Beaver Band, loved fantasy books such as Harry Potter, and participated in her church youth group where she helped in the nursery. She had varied ambitions, from law to owning a used bookstore and more recently welding.

On Saturday, February 10, 2024, first responders were called to a structure fire on Pryor Drive in Saline County. Inside the residence were three people found deceased with apparent gunshot wounds: Aleah, 47-year-old Jacob Martin Sr., and 53-year-old Dara Martin. The Saline County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division opened a homicide probe.

Investigators developed a person of interest, a 15-year-old male, who was questioned and arrested. He has been charged as an adult with capital murder, arson, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence and is being held without bond. The suspect’s name and any relationship to the victims have not been released. If anyone knew Aleah or has information about what happened on Pryor Drive, please come forward.