After more than six years of unanswered questions and relentless hope from a grieving family, justice has taken a major step forward in one of Northern California’s most haunting cold cases. Joshua Anthony Martinez, now 28, has been indicted and arrested on murder charges in connection with the 2019 disappearance of 16-year-old Victoria Marquina, a pregnant high school student from Sutter Creek in Amador County. The announcement, made by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office on March 16, 2026, brings long-awaited developments to a case that has tormented Victoria’s loved ones since she vanished in October 2019.

Victoria Marquina was a typical teenager in many ways—attending high school, working a part-time job, and navigating the challenges of young adulthood. But her life changed dramatically when she became pregnant. Her mother discovered the pregnancy and reported her missing shortly after. Victoria was last seen at her workplace in Amador County. Days later, her vehicle was found abandoned near Escalon in San Joaquin County, miles from home. No trace of her has ever surfaced since—no body, no belongings, no definitive clues to her fate. Authorities have long believed she met with foul play, and from early on, suspicion centered on her brief romantic relationship with Martinez, who was 21 at the time.

The relationship, described by prosecutors as a “whirlwind, very fast” one, involved unlawful sexual activity given Victoria’s age. Martinez, then living in the area, became a person of interest almost immediately. In December 2020, Amador County Sheriff’s Office arrested him on suspicion of felony murder based on circumstantial evidence, phone records, and investigative leads across California. Investigators expressed certainty that Victoria had been killed, likely in San Joaquin County where her car was recovered, and suggested he may have had help disposing of her remains. Yet, despite the strong belief, Martinez was released from custody without formal charges at that time, as prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The case went cold, leaving Victoria’s mother, family, and community in limbo.

That changed in recent months. The San Joaquin County Cold Case Task Force, a multi-agency effort involving local sheriffs, district attorneys, and other law enforcement partners, revived the investigation. New technology and previously unavailable information reportedly emerged in the last year, providing the breakthrough needed to secure an indictment. A San Joaquin County grand jury reviewed the evidence and indicted Martinez on four felony counts: first-degree murder, unlawful intercourse with a minor (more than three years younger), oral copulation with a person under 18, and sexual penetration by a foreign object with a minor. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

Martinez was rearrested by U.S. Marshals on March 12, 2026, in Livermore. He made his first court appearance in San Joaquin County Superior Court in Stockton on March 16, appearing briefly before being held without bail. Prosecutors described the charges as the beginning of Victoria’s “journey for justice.” San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas emphasized the commitment to cold case victims: “We will never stop in the pursuit of justice.” Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe echoed the sentiment, noting the long wait for accountability.

Despite the indictment, a critical piece remains missing: Victoria’s body. Authorities continue to appeal for public help in locating her remains or any information that could provide closure. “We want to bring closure to Victoria’s mother and allow her to bury her child and her grandchild,” a task force spokesperson said. The absence of physical recovery has complicated the case over the years, but circumstantial evidence—phone data, witness statements, vehicle location, and the nature of the relationship—has now supported the murder charge.

The case highlights broader issues in handling disappearances involving minors and vulnerable young people. Victoria’s pregnancy added layers of tragedy and urgency. Her mother, who first learned of the pregnancy and then her daughter’s vanishing, has endured years of uncertainty. Community members in Sutter Creek and surrounding areas have followed the story closely, with some expressing relief at the charges while others lament the slow pace of justice in cold cases.

Martinez, who has maintained his innocence in past statements related to the initial arrest, has not yet entered a plea in the current proceedings. His next court date is set for April 6, 2026. The San Joaquin County Cold Case Task Force continues to investigate, urging anyone with tips to contact them at 209-953-7728.

For Victoria’s family, the announcement represents a bittersweet milestone. Six years of vigils, searches, and unanswered prayers have led to this moment of progress. While her body remains unrecovered, the indictment offers hope that the truth will emerge and that those responsible will be held accountable. The small towns of Amador and San Joaquin Counties, where such tragedies feel deeply personal, now watch as the legal process unfolds, hoping it brings the resolution so long denied.

The disappearance of Victoria Marquina in 2019 shocked the region—a bright young life erased without explanation. Her story, once buried in cold case files, has resurfaced with force. As prosecutors build their case, the focus remains on one goal: justice for Victoria, her unborn child, and a family that has waited far too long.