CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Leticia Martinez-Cosman’s death confirmed; Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to file murder charge

1:03 PM: Two weeks after Leticia Martinez-Cosman vanished, last seen leaving a Mariners’ game with a man now in jail, the search for her is over.

It’s been confirmed that she is the person found dead in Renton after investigators went there this past Tuesday – the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has just announced it plans to charge 46-year-old Brett M. Gitchel with second-degree murder for her death.

Gitchel is the man with whom she attended the Mariners’ game; he is already charged with kidnapping and trying to kill Ms. Martinez-Cosman’s 24-year-old special-needs son and then setting her car on fire hours later. A gun found in his car is the reason for another felony charge, as he is already a convicted felon and not supposed to possess one. In addition, as we first reported Wednesday, Gitchel is charged with committing a West Seattle burglary shown here in a Crime Watch reader report on March 28th.

Ms. Martinez-Cosman was known in West Seattle as owner of the Café Rozella coffee shop and community hub in South Delridge a decade ago. Checking the archives of our partner site White Center Now, we found this 2012 photo of her and her son, who had just achieved the honor roll at Madison Middle School:

Raising money for his future is the subject of crowdfunding. The newest page was set up by his uncle Ricardo Martinez; find it here.

Meantime, Gitchel remains in jail, bail set at $5,050,000, and is due in court to be arraigned April 24th. Information yet to be released includes the cause of Ms. Martinez-Cosman’s death.

2:57 PM: The Medical Examiner has just released that, saying she died by strangulation, and estimating the date of death as April 1st.

31 Replies to "CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Leticia Martinez-Cosman's death confirmed; Prosecuting Attorney's Office to file murder charge"

  • Mel April 14, 2023 (1:08 pm)

    Thank you for your reports.  Please keep us informed on the gofundme issue. Sending love to Leticia’s family and friends and all community members that are walking through this as well.

    • seattleatheart April 14, 2023 (3:43 pm)

      There is no issue with the gofundme campaigns. It is really disgraceful and unfortunate that a person has insuated otherwise in the other thread, especially in light of such a horrendous tragedy. I can’t begin to comprehend why someone would do something like that. Both are absolutely 100% legit  and set up by family. The one started by the Cosman side of the family (which is who Patrick is with now, his father) is soley for the care of Patrick and 100% of funds raised go to him and his care.

      RIP Letty, I pray justice is served with a mighty hand.

      • BecksterOK April 15, 2023 (9:38 am)

        What is the issue to which you are referring? 

  • Scubafrog April 14, 2023 (2:21 pm)

    Definitely sending blessings, love and good energy to Ms. Martinez-Cosman’s family and friends. I hope her son recovers from his trauma, and the loss of his mother – as well as Ricardo, from the loss of his sister. There was no reason for any of this horror, I’ll never understand the horrible minds capable of such things.  What a huge loss for the community in Ms. Martinez-Cosman’s passing.  May the cretin who did this get his justice.

  • M April 14, 2023 (2:41 pm)

    Here is the Go Fund Me link set up by her brother:https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-leticia-martinezcosman-disappearance

    • WSB April 14, 2023 (2:54 pm)

      Thanks; we already have that in the story above.

    • MercyMoi April 14, 2023 (4:47 pm)

      There is a separate GoFundMe created by an aunt set up for $50K that has already $26K raised last I checked. That was in the last WSB article…This one has $13K raised for $70K target.

  • WSB April 14, 2023 (3:00 pm)

    Story updated – the Medical Examiner’s Office has also just confirmed Ms. Martinez-Cosman’s death, and released the cause.

  • MrsShaw April 14, 2023 (3:02 pm)

    To the Friends and Family of Ms. Martinez-Cosman – I am so so sorry to learn of her death. I send you blessings and hope that you will find some form of healing – though it will hard. May She Rest in Peace.  Thank you WSB for keeping us informed. In Sadness with the Rest of the Community…   

  • T Rex April 14, 2023 (3:07 pm)

    The death penalty, IN MY OPINION is the only real justice here, if he is found guilty. However, that more than likely not happen here in Washington. I can only hope he has an “unfortunate” accident when he is put in jail for life. He is not worth being on this earth for any damn reason whatsoever. 

  • elie April 14, 2023 (3:09 pm)

    Can anyone speculate about why he is being charged with second degree rather first degree murder?

    • WSB April 14, 2023 (6:01 pm)

      This isn’t speculating – not much point in that when we’ll learn more when the charging documents are filed next week – but here are the state’s legal definitions of 1st- and 2nd-degree murder:

      1st: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.32.030
      2nd: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.32.050

    • Lamont April 14, 2023 (6:57 pm)

      Premeditation can be very difficult to prove, and it has to be proven with evidence, it can’t just be based on vibes.

      I personally don’t entirely understand why that matters in our system of punishment but it does.

      There is the other clause where first degree murder can be charged if there is a homicide in the commission of robbery, rape, burglary, arson or kidnapping in the first or second degree, but presumably they don’t have enough evidence to charge him with any of those (at least yet).

      • Richard Damien Ross April 15, 2023 (12:20 pm)

        Premeditation is considered a more culpable crime because it requires a deliberate, sober, calculated decision to murder another person in full view of the ramifications of that decision.  It is the more “cold blooded” version of the same crime. 

        • Lamont April 15, 2023 (6:03 pm)

          Doesn’t really matter to the victim(s) and those hurt by it.

          And it sounds like this guy was “a piece of work” for years and this didn’t come out of nowhere.  It probably was ultimately calculated, even though he might not have literally set out that night to do it.

          I’m not sure I even support the idea of “crimes of passion” being of lesser severity either since that just lets off (mostly) men who commit domestic violence and we accept that more.

    • nebulae April 17, 2023 (8:48 pm)

      I suspect, since his lawyer filed something in regard to continuing to exercise 5th amendment rights, that he’s just not talking. Eventually he will have to, and he will end up saying something that proves premeditation, and that charge will become 1st degree. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for. 

  • flimflam April 14, 2023 (3:12 pm)

    Terrible. Unfortunately this was the news most of us dreaded yet expected to hear. I hope her son will get the support he needs and will someday be able to heal a bit from this trauma – both what happened to him as well as knowing what this awful human did to his mom. I can only imagine how close they were and how he relied on her.

  • DRW April 14, 2023 (3:21 pm)

    I first met Leticia’s Brother more than 20 years ago while working at the Bon Marche. I moved to Highland Park about 12 years ago. Around the same time she started Cafe Rozella. It was nice to hang around with your friend at his sisters cafe. I was sad when it closed. But that sadness can’t compare to the news today. May the family feel our Heavenly Fathers love. I am sending mine too. Let us love each other on our live’s path’s.

  • ACG April 14, 2023 (4:40 pm)

    I am so sad to hear of this outcome. My prayers are with her son, family and friends. How absolutely heartbreaking. 

  • Kristen April 14, 2023 (4:56 pm)

    Leticia was such an amazing woman, willing to help anyone and has overcome many obstacles earlier in life, she will be missed greatly. I was her barista at cafe Rozella 17-18 years ago. 

  • D Martin April 14, 2023 (5:22 pm)

    My heart is broken. I didn’t realize she was the owner of Cafe Rozella. I used to go there all the time even though I lived closer to other coffee houses. She was so nice, and her coffee was the best! 

  • Patrick April 14, 2023 (7:08 pm)

    Does anyone know if Gitchel lives in West Seattle? Seems odd that he was here a few days before the murder commuting theft.

    • AL April 15, 2023 (7:55 am)

      I don’t know where Gitchel’s current residence was, but my co-worker grew up with him and my co-worker has known him since she was 15 – although the last time she saw him was 10 years ago.  Gitchel grew up in the same neighborhood where Ms. Cosman was found and where her son escaped.  My co-worker also said that Gitchel has always been dangerous and that he has always had a substance abuse problem.  He is from Renton, so West Seattle/White Center is pretty close. I’m so sorry and give my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Cosman.  I also donated to BOTH GoFundMe’s because I want to be helpful in any way that I can.  Seattle is my hometown and this whole situation hits deeply close to home.  

  • KW April 14, 2023 (7:16 pm)

    Thank you for the thorough and timely updates.  This is so heartbreaking!  Thinking of her family and friends.  Sending so much love and light their way. 

  • NativetoSeattle April 14, 2023 (9:11 pm)

    This is so heartbreaking. 

  • Workdowntown April 14, 2023 (9:24 pm)

    I am devastated hearing this.  What a beautiful lady. And what a monster.  Best wishes for her son. I was confronted by Ted Bundy way back. Pure evil.

  • Steven Bullock April 16, 2023 (5:26 am)

    Leticia.. a friendly, graceful person; so kind to me, my friends, and my two dogs. On walks, we stopped to drink coffee at her Cafe Rozella all the time She helped our Delridge community. Love to her family and friends.

  • Burger April 16, 2023 (8:33 pm)

    I’m wondering as was previously mentioned that the investigation lead them to her remains, does that mean Brett got a plea deal for second degree vs first degree to tell where she was.  He’s apparently the only one who could’ve told anyone where she was.  Hoping this guy doesn’t get out in a couple of years, he seems like such a menace to society.  

    • I’mcoveredinbees April 17, 2023 (12:29 am)

      @Burger,My understanding is that the search area was due to circumstances related to the kidnapping of Leticia’s son. It’s where he was driven around and where he escaped. And there’s been no deal, last I heard. Perp refused to appear in front of judge twice.

    • moji April 17, 2023 (7:41 am)

      The son’s kidnapping led them initially to that area; also cell phone records (including locations, though not precise) put Gitchel and Leticia both in that area at the same time.

  • diane April 17, 2023 (4:48 pm)

    Leticia reminds me of Don McClean’s ode to Vincent van Gogh: “The world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.” Sending my love to her family and will donate to help her son.

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