Twisted Cover Up on ID is investigating the murder of teenager Martre Coles, who was killed by his father’s girlfriend, Denise Gay, and her daughter LaToya Gay, in Highland Springs, a suburb of Richmond, Virginia.
Henrico County Sheriff’s Office suspects Denise may have been planning Martre’s death for up to a year. It is unclear why she wanted the 19-year-old Martre dead, but the prosecution speculated she may have thought the murder would bring her closer to the victim’s father.
Martre, a teenage art student, was reported missing in April 2017. His body was discovered a few days later, stuffed into a plastic container, and left in a wooded area near an industrial complex in Henrico, VA.
The cops determined that Martre died from asphyxiation. An autopsy revealed the presence of Trazodone, a sedative and antidepressant most commonly used to treat depression, which led the investigators to believe he was drugged and suffocated.
The police intercepted text messages between Denise and her daughter LaToya when they discussed moving the body and burying it properly.
The killers were unaware that the cops had already found the body, and the deputies were waiting for Denise at the dumping ground when she turned up with a shovel.
The cops also learned that before the murder, Denise had searched online for terms: “Find something that works like chloroform” and “how long it takes to suffocate someone with duct tape.”
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelYounger daughter testified against Denise and LaToya Gay in Martres Coles murder case
The case was significantly aided by Denise’s second daughter, an unnamed 12-year-old, who told the cops she had seen her mom and sister attack Martre and suffocate him with a plaster mask he was making as part of an art project.
The girl told investigators she overheard Martre shouting, “Get off me,” and then saw LaToya dragging a green bin through the house.
The witness later told a court that she had peeked into Martre’s bedroom and “could see his feet moving; they were like kicking up.” She then said Denise saw her and shooed her away.
Defense team blamed Denise Gay daughter for killing Martres Coles
Denise’s legal team tried to blame the murder on her 12-year-old daughter, claiming Denise was covering up for her. The girl had a difficult relationship with Martre, having previously stabbed him with a pair of scissors.
When asked by LaToya’s lawyer, James Bullard, if she was sad Martre was dead, she replied, “No.”
However, the jury was not convinced and convicted both Denise Gay and LaToya Gay of first-degree murder. Denise was sentenced to life in prison, and LaToya received 30 years.
Twisted Cover Up airs Saturday at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery.