Memphis father accused of killing 3-year-old son, stuffing body in suitcase

A Memphis father has been charged with murdering his 3-year-old child, stuffing the boy’s body in a suitcase and ditching it near a river over the weekend.

Saul Martinez, 22, allegedly confessed to killing his son, Joseph Martinez, after leaving home with him overnight Saturday and returning Monday morning without the child, according to police.

The alleged killer’s father knew something was amiss when his son entered his room around midnight Saturday, asked for money and then swiped his car keys, according to court documents.

Martinez returned to his house early Sunday morning around 3 a.m. in his father’s car to drop off the keys before leaving again in his own vehicle.

When Martinez returned home again at 7 a.m. on Monday, his father questioned him on the whereabouts of his grandchild. 

Initially saying Joseph was with friends, Martinez then allegedly confessed to his father and other relatives that his son was dead and that he discarded the body in the Wolf River, according to an affidavit of complaint.

Martinez led officers to a wooded area where they recovered the suitcase containing Joseph’s remains.

The father is facing charges of first-degree murder, first-degree murder in perpetration of aggravated child abuse, aggravated child abuse, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence.