Queens Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murdering and Dismembering Woman in Fraudulent Scheme to Collect Life Insurance Benefits

Press Release

Defendant Watched TV Shows "The First 48" and "Dexter" for Tips on Covering Up a Violent Crime and Disposing of the Victim's Body

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Cory Martin was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to life in prison for murdering and dismembering a woman in order to collect $200,000 in life insurance proceeds. Martin was convicted by a federal jury in March 2024 following a two-week trial of murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identify theft and fraudulent use of identification relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain life insurance policies in the name of his victim, kill her and collect the insurance money. Martin was also sentenced to a concurrent term of 20 years' imprisonment for wire fraud conspiracy and a consecutive term of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Thomas G. Donlon, Interim Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

"The defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison for this ghastly, cold-blooded crime that was motivated by greed and executed after extensive planning," stated United States Attorney Peace. "Martin preyed on Brandy Odom. He saw the victim as a way to make money. He trafficked her for commercial sex, then killed her with his bare hands so he could profit from her death. The defendant believed he could thwart law enforcement and cover up this heinous crime by relying on television shows about murder, but the investigatory efforts of law enforcement brought him to justice. Brandy Odom's life mattered and I hope that this sentence, which protects our community by ensuring that the defendant cannot victimize another person, brings some measure of closure to her family."

Mr. Peace expressed his thanks to the FBI's Metro Safe Streets Task Force and the NYPD's Brooklyn South Homicide Squad, Brooklyn South Video Team and 69th Precinct Detective Squad for their outstanding work on the case.

"Today, Cory Martin received his punishment for the despicable murder of Brandy Odom. Martin utilized fictional stories to devise his own wicked tale of murder as an amoral avenue for selfish financial gain," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. "His grisly actions reflect an utter disregard for human life as he continued to brutalize Brandy even after her death in attempt to evade law enforcement detection. May today's sentencing offer Brandy's family some justice and reiterate the FBI's stout intolerance against those willing to take another's life.

"Mr. Martin has been justly sentenced to prison for his abhorrent actions, ensuring that society will be safe from him for the remainder of his life," stated NYPD Interim Commissioner Donlon. "I applaud the unwavering commitment of our NYPD investigators, as well as our partners at the FBI and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, whose persistence led to today's result. We remain dedicated to holding accountable those who seek to profit from the mistreatment and exploitation of others."

Martin, who operated as a pimp, resided at a house in Rosedale, Queens, with the then-26-year-old victim, Brandy Odom, and a co-conspirator. Both Odom and the co-conspirator were engaged in commercial sex work for the defendant. In March and December 2017, Martin and the co-conspirator fraudulently obtained two life insurance policies in Odom's name. They made premium payments to the life insurance companies by Western Union money orders and by using a debit card in Odom's name. At trial, Martin's co-conspirator testified that prior to Odom's murder, she and the defendant watched "The First 48," a true-crime TV show about police tactics and they discussed "what not to do, and what things to do to avoid being caught by the police." The co-conspirator testified that Martin also watched "Dexter," a TV show about a serial killer who dismembered his victims, because the defendant was "looking for ways to commit the crime when he got rid of Brandy."

In early April 2018, Martin strangled Odom in her bedroom. Martin and the co- conspirator then purchased cleaning supplies and a vacuum to clean up the murder scene. On April 6, 2018, Martin searched Home Depot's website for a "Dewalt 12-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw," described as featuring a "powerful 12 Amp motor designed for heavy-duty applications." Later that evening, Martin searched YouTube for "how to insert blade for reciprocating saw" and "using reciprocating saw." The co-conspirator testified that Martin used an electric saw to dismember the victim's corpse in the bathtub after covering every surface in the bathroom with heavy-duty, black garbage bags to avoid leaving evidence of the killing.

In the early morning of April 8 and April 9, 2018, Martin discarded Odom's body parts in Canarsie Park with the assistance of his co-conspirator. On April 10, 2018, Martin conducted dozens of Internet searches for news articles, including "Search area expands after dismembered body found in Canarsie Park in Brooklyn." Martin also accessed a Twitter post titled "Person walking dog discovers remains of woman in Brooklyn park." The following day on April 11, 2018, Martin searched YouTube using the search term "exclusive interview of mother of girl found in park." After Odom's murder, at Martin's direction, his co-conspirator made several unsuccessful attempts to claim benefits under Odom's life insurance policies.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Tanya Hajjar, Emily J. Dean and Andy Palacio are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Theodore Rader.

The Defendant:
CORY MARTIN
Age: 37
Rosedale, Queens

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-549(S-1) (AMD)

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Updated November 6, 2024