Friends, family gather for memorial service for jogger stabbed to death in DC

Wendy Martinez was stabbed to death earlier this week.

September 23, 2018, 4:56 AM

Friends and family gathered on Saturday to remember Wendy Martinez, the woman who was stabbed to death in Washington, D.C., while out for a jog in an apparently random attack.

The service was held at The Miracle Theatre, just a mile from the U.S. Capitol Building.

Martinez, 35, was stabbed Tuesday night in what police called an "unprovoked" attack in the capital's Logan Square neighborhood. She had gotten engaged to her boyfriend, Danny Hincapie, just one week prior.

Mourners gather at a memorial service Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Washington, D.C., for Wendy Martinez, who was stabbed to death while jogging.
WJLA

She stumbled into a Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood after police say she was stabbed seven times. Restaurant patrons called 911 and tried to stop the bleeding, but Martinez died at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.

Anthony Crawford, 23, has been charged with first-degree murder in her stabbing.

"It's a gift to uncover the memories and at the same time, it's sad," Martinez's friend Kristina Moore told Washington ABC affiliate WJLA at the memorial service.

Mourners gather at a memorial service Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Washington, D.C., for Wendy Martinez, who was stabbed to death while jogging.
WJLA
Wendy Karina Martinez is seen here in this undated digitally altered image.
Martinez family via AP

"We're relieved," Moore said. "There's still open questions."

Martinez's mother, Cora Martinez, said last week that her daughter was the "most beautiful, special, vibrant young girl."

Mourners gather at a memorial service Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Washington, D.C., for Wendy Martinez, who was stabbed to death while jogging.
WJLA
Mourners gather at a memorial service Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Washington, D.C., for Wendy Martinez, who was stabbed to death while jogging.
WJLA

Cora Martinez said her daughter will be buried in her wedding gown, which she chose the weekend before she was killed. Services will be held at Christ Fellowship Church in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.

A memorial fund has garnered over $15,000 in donations online.