An Ohio teenager allegedly strangled his ex-girlfriend while they were in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on a senior trip.
Blake Linkous, 18, is charged with murder in connection with the strangulation of Natalie Martin.
The tragic event took place inside a vacation rental on June 6, where the two, along with a group of friends, were celebrating their high school graduation.
According to reports, the crime scene was discovered after Linkous emerged from a locked room with a self-inflicted stab wound to his chest, triggering alarm among the group.
Two friends, worried by Martin’s absence, broke into the room and found her unresponsive on the floor. Attempts to resuscitate her proved futile. Brooklyn Ferrell, a close friend of Martin who was not present during the incident, has been communicating with Martin’s mother and the group members who witnessed the horrifying event. She also reported that Linkous had a bad temper, and the couple had broken up in February after Linkous threw Natalie across the room.
The incident in Myrtle Beach occurred hours after an argument between Martin and Linkous over a text message Martin had sent to another boy. The former couple, known as high school sweethearts, had seemingly resolved the disagreement but tensions remained. Martin, feeling unwell, had departed a local club earlier in the evening with Linkous.
Linkous is being held without bail at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Meanwhile, a community crowdfunding campaign has raised over $32,000 to support Martin’s grieving family.
