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Modesto Suspect's Family Shocked At Murder Accusations He's Facing

SAN JOSE (CBS13) — The family of Modesto mass murder suspect Martin Martinez is in shock over his arrest.

Family inside the home where he drove his alleged getaway car from Modesto say they haven't been able to speak to him since the arrest.

No one at the San Jose home can explain the heinous allegations now aimed at 30-year-old Martinez.

"I'm grieving for him too, I just want to see him, and ask him what's going on," said his cousin Gina Martinez.

Modesto Detectives visited the home Tuesday, to interview Martinez's dad, The father and son were coming out of a movie theater Sunday when cops arrested the younger Martinez.

Martin Martinez has been named a suspect in the murders of his mother Anna Brown-Romero, his ex-girlfriend Dr. Amanda Crews, their 6-month-old daughter, as well as a 5-year-old and 6-year-old girl inside a Modesto home.

Police say the arrest warrant for Martinez was for the separate death of his ex-girlfriend's 2-year-old son in October. It wasn't until last week that a forensic examiner determined Christopher Ripley died of blunt force trauma from hitting his head on tile.

Martinez's uncle says his father had no idea what had happened.

"I would suspect he didn't, my brother says he didn't," he said.

The family sent its condolences to the Brown and Crews families, saying "It's a tragedy. We don't know what's going on. We're shocked."

Martinez's family says he is due to be transferred from Santa Clara County Jail to Stanislaus County Jail on Wednesday. He's due in court for the first time later this week.

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