From WWW.IOWACOLDCASES.COM-
Diane Martin, 48, was shot in her Waterloo home around 9:45 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. She was later pronounced dead at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital. On September 12th, 2018 an autopsy was conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office and determined Diane Martin died as the result of a single gunshot wound, police announced in a press release. Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information in Diane’s death.
Diane Martin
Homicide
Diane Martin
48 YOA
84 Ricker Street
Waterloo, IA
Black Hawk County
September 10, 2018
Jurisdiction: Waterloo PD
Source: The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
and the Waterloo Police Department
Diane Martin, 48, was shot in her Waterloo home around 9:45 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. She was later pronounced dead at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital.
Police investigators returned to 84 Ricker St. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, after a woman had been shot and killed at the home the night before.
JEFF REINITZ | jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com
On September 12th, 2018 an autopsy was conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office and determined Diane Martin died as the result of a single gunshot wound, police announced in a press release.
Police records show Martin had reported gunfire at her home multiple times in the past few years, but no injuries were reported.
Iowa shooting victim’s son died in homicide 4 months earlier
Diane Martin is the mother of Shavondes Martin, 22, who was found dead in an alley off South Street in May.
Shavondes Martin, 22, was shot and killed in Waterloo four months before his mother.
Police said they don’t know if Diane Martin’s slaying is connected with the death of her son.
“We don’t know if she was the target. It could be a random house shooting at this point,” Maj. Joe Leibold with the Waterloo police told The Courier. “We don’t know if there is a connection between him being shot and her being shot.”
Neighbor Beverly Sanders says gunshots are now a regular occurrence in the neighborhood.
Shavondes Martin, who had been acquitted in a 2016 slaying, was found shot to death in an alley May 31, 2018. His cousin, Danaesha Martin, has been arrested for murder and is awaiting trial.
No arrests have been made in Diane Martin’s homicide.
About Diane Martin
Diane Martin was born on Feb. 14, 1970, in Greenwood, Miss., the daughter of Frankie Mae Martin and Arthur Johnson.
Trajectory rods mark bullet holes in the siding of 84 Ricker St. on Tuesday after a woman had been shot and killed at the home the night before. Courtesy JEFF REINITZ
She worked several different jobs in Mississippi and Waterloo.
Survived by: her mother, Frankie Mae Martin of Morgan City, Miss.; her father, Arthur (Josephine) Johnson of Itta Bena, Miss.; two sons, DeAndre Smith of Waterloo and Carderrius Smith of Waterloo; three granddaughters, DeMoni Smith, DeYona Smith and Lyrik Smith of Waterloo; two sisters, Angela (Mark) Dixon of Morgan City, Miss., and Janet Johnson of Memphis, Tenn.; four brothers, Michael (Janet) Martin of Waterloo, Richard Martin of Morgan City, and Arthur Johnson Jr. and LaVincent Johnson, also of Mississippi; 10 aunts; 10 uncles; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a special niece, Tatanisha Hunt (TaTa) of Waterloo.
Preceded in death by: a son, Shavondes Martin (BUNZ); her maternal grandparents, Frank and Alberta Martin; paternal grandparents, Harvey and Mattie Johnson; her aunt Aria (Sis) Martin; two uncles, Elbert (Bull) Wilson and Andrew Martin; and three cousins.
Private family services: took place Thursday, Sept. 20, 2022 at Sanders Funeral Service.
Memorials: may be sent to the family at Sanders Funeral Service.
Information Needed:
Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers logoAnyone with information about Diane Martin’s unsolved murder is asked to call the Waterloo Police Department at 319-291-4340 ext 3 or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers, 855-300-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be sent with TipSoft or by texting the word CEDAR plus the information to CRIMES (274637). Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out at any time. Text HELP for more information. Anyone with information leading to an arrest is eligible for a cash reward.
Anonymous tips may be sent through the Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers Confidential Web Tip Information System.
Sources:
Investigator Brice Lippert, Waterloo Police Department, June 2022
Waterloo Police Department
“Crime in 2018: Waterloo police release new statistics,” by Jeff Reinitz, The WCF Courier, Jan. 11, 2019; updated Feb. 18, 2020 (story also available in audio)
“Prosecution drops gun charge against Waterloo man following DNA dispute,” by Jeff Reinitz, WCF Courier, Feb. 1, 2022
“UPDATE: Fatal shooting is home to relatives of another murder victim,” by Jeff Reinitz, The WCF Courier, Sept. 11, 2018; updated Feb. 18, 2020
“Iowa woman sought in cousin’s slaying is found in Norfolk,” The Associated Press, Nov. 14, 2018
“Iowa shooting victim’s son died in homicide 4 months ago,” by the Associated Press, APNews.com, Sept. 13, 2018
“Iowa shooting victim’s son died in homicide 4 months ago,” KCRG.com, ABC 9, Sept. 13, 2018
“Homicide victim lost her son to homicide four months ago,” by Jeff Reinitz, The WCF Courier, Sept. 12, 2018
“Name released of woman who died after Waterloo shooting,” by KCRG-TV9 News Staff, Sept. 11, 2018
“September 10th Shootings–With Name,” Waterloo Police Department Press Release, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018