Nearly 7 years after 16-year-old Victoria Marquina vanished in October 2019 from Sutter Creek, California—just days before her 17th birthday—the case has taken a dramatic turn. Victoria, a bright high school student who was pregnant at the time her mother reported her missing, was last seen at her workplace in Amador County. Her car was later found abandoned near Escalon in San Joaquin County, with her cellphone pinging from the area before going silent. No trace of her or her unborn child has ever been recovered.

The prime suspect, Joshua Anthony Martinez (then 21, now 28), had a brief, unlawful relationship with the underage teen—they met online about a month prior, and authorities confirm she became pregnant during that time. Martinez was initially arrested in 2020 on related sex charges with a minor and briefly on a murder warrant, but released due to insufficient evidence at the time. He had admitted dropping her off in Sutter Creek but provided no further details on her fate.

In a stunning breakthrough announced in March 2026, a San Joaquin County grand jury indicted Martinez on murder (with special circumstances possible due to the pregnancy), plus felony counts of unlawful intercourse with a minor, oral copulation with a minor, and sexual penetration with a foreign object on a minor. He faces life in prison if convicted. Authorities describe new technology and information emerging in the past year as key to reopening the cold case through a multi-agency task force. Despite the charges, Victoria’s remains—and those of her unborn baby—remain missing, leaving the family without closure or the chance to bury their loved ones.

The emotional toll is immense. Victoria’s mother, who discovered the pregnancy before the disappearance, has spoken of the agony of not knowing who the father was or the full story, and the endless wait for justice. The family has long pushed for answers, raising reward funds (up to $60,000 at points) and keeping awareness alive through billboards and online campaigns. They reject any notion that Victoria simply ran away—her loving nature, family ties, and excitement about her future contradict that. Investigators believe the murder likely occurred in San Joaquin County, possibly stemming from relationship tensions, pregnancy pressures, or a desire to silence something Victoria knew or threatened to reveal.

This case highlights the vulnerabilities of young women in unequal relationships, statutory issues, and the challenges of cold cases without bodies. Police continue urging tips to locate remains, emphasizing the need for closure so Victoria’s mother can “bury her child and grandchild.” The recent charges bring hope for accountability, yet the absence of physical evidence keeps the wound raw— a tragic reminder that some truths remain buried, literally and figuratively.