Person of interest identified in missing woman's death investigation, Philadelphia police say
Philadelphia police have identified a person of interest in connection with a missing 21-year-old's death after she was found with multiple stab wounds, wrapped up inside a futon in the city's Frankford neighborhood on Saturday, April 5.
In an update on the investigation, Deputy Commissioner of Investigations Frank Vanore said that on Friday, April 4, a group of friends called the Philadelphia Police Department concerned that they hadn't seen their friend, 21-year-old Yuleisy Carolina Torrelles Martinez, in a couple of days.
According to Vanore, the group was at Martinez's apartment in the 4400 block of Frankford Avenue when they found what they believed to be her phone, grew concerned and called the police to report her missing. PPD detectives met the friends and obtained a warrant to search the 21-year-old woman's apartment.
Vanore said during the apartment search, they found Martinez's body stabbed multiple times, wrapped up in a shower curtain and trash bags and placed inside a futon.
Authorities then began investigating the incident as a homicide, Vanore said. According to Vanore, a few days later, police had developed enough probable cause to secure an arrest warrant for 28-year-old Gerelys Sanchez-Reyes, who is now wanted as a fugitive. Investigators said Sanchez-Reyes is 5-foot-5-inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair.
Police ask anyone who knows where Sanchez-Reyes is to call PPD at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334/3335.
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.