The neighbors said they regularly noticed the couple around the complex and that they did not seem to have any marital problems or issues. I mean, we all know she was beautiful but it didnt look like her at all., Her mother, Mary Figueroa, added that they couldnt recognize her and that the only thing recognizable about her was; her teeth, her mouth, you know the way she would smile. } Prosecutors refused to believe his claim of insanity and refuse to drop the charges saying the singer knew what he was doing when he allegedly murdered his wife, although it appears to have worked as he was found incompetent to stand trial and was ordered to continue treatment and is now in a mental institution in Rusk State Hospital. Photo by: Warner Bros. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. When police reached Cedar Creek Townhomes on Tanglewilde at Windswept on the west side that Catherine shared with her two young sons. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Houston police say 24-year-old Catherine Martinez was stabbed multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene. Neal was charged with first-degree murder in 2014 and was released on a $100,000 bond. "The King" said "D'Lo" was "huge" in the fourth quarter. Hi-Five singer Russell Neal faces murder charges after wife found July 7, 2014 / 11:20 AM Police also said there were no witnesses to the murder and that the couples two children were not in the apartment when their mother was killed. Heres what we know so far. var iframe = document.getElementById('wpcom-iframe-8e1d88f443c34b1b522a0fd738a601fc-32316310-45106734') Russell Neal, a singer in the 1990s R&B group Hi-Five, is facing murder charges in connection with the death of his wife, Catherine Martinez, local news in Houston, Tex., reported Friday, July 4 . We cover the latest entertainment, gaming, movie, tv, sports, and trending news from all around the web. HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Working at a bond office across the street from a Harris County Sheriff Department building, Mary Alice Valencia has seen plenty. Obituary: Abigail Ryder Neal - Portland Press Herald Both Hi-Five Singer And His Brother Were Jailed For Their Wives' Deaths She kept them clean, they looked good, kept nice. Hence, it came as a shock when the officers of the Houston Police Department forcefully entered her apartment to find the fitness model lying dead under a blanket on the living room floor. NFL Player Damar Hamlin in Critical Condition after Collapsing on Field, Legendary Designer Vivienne Westwood Dies Aged 81, 10 Female IAS Officers who can inspire us. According to reports, he displayed suicidal tendencies, and the authorities were called to his apartment. Russell Neal's Wife Catherine Martinez was a Model, who passed away on 2 July 2014 in Houston, Texas, United States. // Verify message is in a format we expect Russell Neal Early life, Networth, Bio (Updated April 2023) "You just never know, I think he just probably lost it.". Russell was charged with first-degree manslaughter for the alleged murder of his wife, Catherine Martinez. window.attachEvent( 'onmessage', funcSizeResponse ); The 24-year-old fitness model and aspiring boxer, who worked under the pseudonym Brasilia Martinez, was declared dead at the scene. He is charged with a murder case in 2014 of his wife Catherine Martinez at her Houston apartment. However, several consecutive competency trials deemed Russell as mentally unfit to stand trial and the court ordered him to be under treatment. Martinez was an aspiring fitness model and boxer and she was found dead at the scene. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. Family members confirmed to Eyewitness News that Neal was part of the 90's singing group Hi-Five, an R&B quintet based out of Waco, Texas. Russell Neal is an R&B singer. Please log in again. A platinum-selling R&B star calmly walked into a Texas sheriff's office to tell deputies his wife was dead and that he needed a lawyer, it's emerged. To date, Russell Neal still sticks to his defense of temporary insanity. The horrific crime shocked people around the world and made headlines. Mary recalled, I was working and noticed across the street when the police officers pulled up. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. You would see the foundation, everything trying to cover up her eyes, but we would tell," said Glenda Lewis. But things took a terrible turn once she saw her mother on June 28, 2014, a few days before she was discovered dead at her apartment. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, The group is known for such '90s hits as "I Can't Wait Another Minute" and "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game).". The incident was even captured in photos by a local man who was also there at the same time. Russell Neal Net Worth-Russell Neal is an R&B Singer. Timothy W. Bliefnick allegedly fatally shot Rebecca Bliefnick on Feb. 23, 2023 while the couple was in the process of getting a divorce. One singer from a beloved 90s male group has been taken into custody due to allegations that he killed his wife. 6 shot, 2 fatally, at after-prom party in Mississippi, HISD student crossing street to high school hit by car, HPD says, FBI nuclear training exercise to take place in Houston all week. Neal, who is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond, now faces a murder charges, reports KHOU. if ( 'object' !== typeof e.data || undefined === e.data.msg_type ) When cops entered the home later, they found Catherine stabbed to death and lying on the floor. ' Her worst fears came true when Russell was arrested and charged with Catherines murder on July 2. Hi-Five Group Member Russell Neal Charged With Murder Of Wife After logging in you can close it and return to this page. IDs Death by renown is slated to delve more into Catherine Martinezs killing in an upcoming episode named The Killing Game this Monday, 20 February 2023, at 9 pm ET. "He wasn't resisting arrest or fighting with them or saying anything. Police said 40-year-old Russell Neal, a former member of 1990s R&B group Hi-Five, murdered his 24-year-old wife, who was found stabbed multiple times at the couple's Houston home last week "Still can't believe this but RIP @brasiliamartinez1990 gone way too soon," wrote photographer D. Hinez on Instagram. HPD says he's no longer cooperating after asking for an attorney. // Verify message origin On July 2, 2014, Russell walked intoa Harris County Sheriffs Department building and calmly informed the officer-in-charge that his wife required medical attention. 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"All of a sudden it's a shock.". Cops knocked down the door to the couple's home and found Catherine Martinez killed by multiple stab wounds. Martinez died from blunt force trauma and stab wounds. Russell Neal was found unfit to stand trial by reason of mental illness after being charged with first-degree murder. On July 2, 2014, former Hi-Five member Russell Neal was charged with murder, over the fatal stabbing of his wife in Houston. Then he told authorities that he would need a lawyer. Although Ronald tried to plead insanity and tried to plead crime of passion before the mental illness defense could be tested in court, Ronald made a surprising turnaround and pleaded guilty. (russneal28/via Instagram). All Rights Reserved. Russell Neal was born in the early 1970s in Waco, Texas to Mother Dr.Evelyn T. Neal and Father Lawyer Neal II; He is the second born to brothers Rodney and Ronald Neal. The ultimate low note to the horror was that Neal beat Catherine Martinez and then stabbed her to death on June 28, 2014 in their home with their two small sons present. All of a sudden, its a shock, Raymond Batiste, a neighbor, told KHOU, in 2014. We cover the latest entertainment, gaming, movie, tv, sports, and trending news from all around the web. The United States Marshals Service said they took Isaac Estrada into custody in March 2023. Since then, Russell, now in his late-40s, remain admitted to a mental institution at Rusk State Hospital in Texas. Ans. 20-year-old Chloe Randolph was in the midst of a divorce when her soon-to-be-ex-husband took matters into his own hands. All Rights Reserved. No charges have currently been filed against Neal, 40, though he is being detained by police. Know Everything About Her Pre (Father) And Mere (Mother), Parker McCollum Parents, Mom, Family, Grandfather, and Biography, We Ani Parents, American Idol, Jacqueline McDonald (Mother), Dr. Varleton McDonald (Father). Catherine "Brasilia" Martinez Murder: Where is Russell Neal Now? We just should keep praying for the family, if anything, especially if they have kids. Russell Neals Net Worth $10 Million. return; / CBS/AP. The victim was a hot, 24-year-old fitness model. "I was working and I noticed across the street when the police officers pulled up," recalled Valencia. Singer Russell Neal and aspiring model Catherine Martinez had two kids together. If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, stalking, or abuse from a romantic partner, you can visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website, call 1.800.799.SAFE or text START to 88788 for help. Investigation Discoverys Death by Fame: The Killing Game chronicles the brutal killing of the 24-year-old mother of two, Catherine Brasilia Martinez, in Houston, Texas, in July 2014. When they brought him out in handcuffs, he was just as calm as can be, and they just put him in a police car., The police are not clear on the motive of the murder as Russell refused to cooperate with the authorities. Russell who was then 16 was at the top of his game, and according to Jonathan Kinloch who was the groups road manager Russell was referred to as Cool Russ. and was the one who always was able to control his temper, he was endorsed as the dreamy one with the smooth moves pegged as a Lovelorn Lothario. Eye-witnesses to the arrest said that the suspect appeared "docile" during the entire encounter. TMZ has learned . Police who spoke with KHOU-TV say Neal appeared at a sheriff's office station last Wednesday and stated his wife, 24-year-old Catherine Martinez, was dead inside their west Houston apartment. Catherine was found on the living room floor with what appeared to be blunt force trauma to the head and several wounds which appeared to be from a sharp object. Martinezs family said they sensed something off from the beginning. '90s R&B star Russell Neal faces murder charges in wife's death [Apply Here], 29 Pictures Of Lady Gagas Great Ass [PHOTOS]. Who Is Russell Neal? Hi-Five Singer Charged With Murder Of Wife (video "They seemed like a happy couple," Raymond Batiste, a neighbor, told CBS affiliate KHOU. Thank you for believing in me," Hinez added. In June 2014, Russell apparently confessed to murdering his 24-year-old-wife - fitness model and aspiring boxer, Catherine "Brasilia" Martinez. hellobeautiful.com, Desiigner Charged With Indecent Exposure After Wild Airplane Incident, Indecent Exposure! (@angiewrites) February 20, 2023. after he told cops his wife was dead inside their apartment . Georgia Teen Vanished In South Carolina, Search Continues For North Carolina Girl, 11, Whose Parents Didnt Report Her Missing For Weeks, Where Is Ella Goodie? He is known as a former Member of the Popular Band Hi-Five. That person turned out to be Russell Neal, a member of the early 1990's music group Hi-Five. Russell Neals Net Worth $10 Million. Let it go. Copyright 2023 by Vizaca. After he was led away, authorities went to Neal's apartment at 3766 Tanglewilde. iframe.onload = function() { What Happened To High School Senior Erica Fraysure? Following his claims, the authorities barged into the couples southwest Houston apartment to find the dead body of Catherine. else if ( document.attachEvent ) { document.attachEvent( 'onreadystatechange', func ); } She kept them clean, they looked good, kept nice," said neighbor Quincy Toler. default: KSFM, a radio affiliate of CBS, reports the couple's two children - ages 3 and 4 - are currently in the custody of the suspect's mother. Despite assertions from officials that Neal knew what he was doing when he attacked his wife in 2014, Neal has been incarcerated at Rusk State Hospital in Texas ever since. They were locked in the room just feet from their mums viciously whacked body. } )(); Heartbreaking: Sudanese Woman Sentenced To Death For Being A Christian Rearrested After Release, For Brown Girls: Karyn Washingtons Friend Offers Powerful Insight On The Details Of Her Death [VIDEO], Suicide Or Cover Up: What Army Private, LaVena Johnsons Rape & Death Says About America, Locked Up: Hi-Five Singer Russell Neal Charged In Wifes Murder Hi-Five singer Russell Neal charged with murder after his model wife is found stabbed to death in their apartment. Her exercise companion grew concerned when she did not turn up for training at the Metroflex Gym on Tuesday. . Press Esc to cancel. Towards the end of 1992, Russell felt Hi-Five was stagnated while he required to have more of a singing part, something contrary to the labels, and the producer didnt think that that was an appropriate decision so he left. The Killing Game Web Series New Episode Released on 20 February 2023 Death by Fame at 9 pm ET, this series is about Russell Neals Wife Catherine Martinez. There is no charge to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Her Brother Jansen died at 28, Husband, Daughter, Hayden Panettiere Biography & More, Who Are Nathalie Levys Parents? The Undeniable Top 10 BEST Black Male R&B Groups From the 10 Music Industry Titans You Need to Know NOW! He was born March 21, 1950 in Franklin, IN to Alex Russell Jr. and Marian Grace Vandivier Russell. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. He claimed they had an argument but refused to communicate further, clamming up and requesting legal counsel. In her professional profiles, she went by the name Brasilia Martinez. 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