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Man Who Took Seattle Mom On Date To Mariners Game Expected To Be Charged With Her Murder
Brett Gitchel, 46, is expected to be charged with the murder of 58-year-old Leticia Martinez-Cosman, who was last seen on a date with him at a March 31 Seattle Mariners game.
Remains found in a Washington state park belong to a missing mom last seen at a Seattle Mariners baseball game and prosecutors expect to charge her companion that evening with her murder.
Authorities say Leticia Martinez-Cosman, 58, attended the baseball game at T-Mobile Park with 46-year-old Brett Gitchel on March 31, according to KIRO 7 News. She texted her family a selfie of herself and her date in the stands at the game that evening, according to People, but she never returned home and her brother reported her missing on April 2.
On April 11, Martinez-Cosman's body was recovered in a wooded area between Talbot Road and State Route 167 in Renton. An autopsy carried out by the King County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death a homicide and determined she succumbed to asphyxiation due to strangulation.
Following the game, Gitchel is alleged to have shown up at Martinez-Cosman's home, which she shares with her 24-year-old special needs son, Patrick Cosman, and convinced him to come along with him on a car ride, supposedly to bring him to the hospital to see his mother, who he said had been in an accident. At some point during the drive, Gitchel allegedly climbed in the back seat with the Patrick and attempted to strangle him, though he managed to fight back and escape.
Several residents in the area called 911 after hearing the commotion. When emergency responders arrived, they found Patrick hiding in a bush, according to KOMO News.
At 6:40 a.m., two hours after that alleged attack, the Seattle Fire Department was called to the scene of a flaming car. That car, a Honda CRV, belonged to Martinez-Cosman, KOMO News reported.
Authorities allege Gitchel's phone pinged in the area of the vehicle fire, and investigators say they obtained surveillance footage from a nearby gas station showing him purchasing a gallon of gas, according to FOX 13.
Gitchel was arrested April 5 and charged with attempted murder for the alleged attack on Martinez-Cosman's son, in addition to arson, kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm.
A spokesperson for the King County Prosecutor’s Office said they intend to add second-degree murder to the list of charges against Gitchel, according to KIRO 7.
Additionally, Gitchel is charged with first-degree theft for an unrelated incident on March 28. He is accused of stealing $10,000 in jewelry from a Costco in Seattle's SODO neighborhood, according to FOX 13.
Martinez-Cosman first met Gitchen at a south Seattle Costco on March 19, according to the Seattle Times.
Gitchel is currently being held at the King County Jail on $5 million bail - his next court appearance is scheduled for April 28.
