Memorial dedication marks 20-year anniversary of boy’s kidnapping & murder

It’s been 20 years since the Beaumont kidnapping and murder of 10-year-old Anthony Martinez. A story that rocked the small community and made National headlines.

Watch: Anthony’s father remembers son on 20th anniversary of homicide Anthony’s mother, Diana Reed, was in Beaumont to support Riverside County’s Victim’s rights week. The Beaumont Police Department also held a memorial dedication in honor of Anthony. Anthony’s mother was grateful for all the support her family has received from the tight-knit community over the last 20 years.

“We never felt like we were alone we didn’t ever feel alone, we always felt like everyone cared, which is obvious something, obviously when in a situation of a missing child, just knowing everyone cared,” said Reed. “So many people willing to sacrifice their time, energy, and finances to come out and help it was a huge deal. Wouldn’t have been able to hold up if it hadn’t been for how many people cared about us.”

Tonight’s ceremony included a memorial to Martinez and a dedication to two of the Beaumont officers who worked tirelessly to find him and bring his killer to justice. They have since died but Reed says their kindness will never be forgotten.

“It’s important to know people love your child that someone cares about your child as much as you do. and that you just know it was genuine care that they had for Tony when looking for him and genuine care that they had to make sure someone was found and that they were prosecuted for it. That as a mother that’s amazing to know someone loves your child that much.”

April 4, 1997, 10-year-old Anthony Martinez and a group of friends playing in a Beaumont alley were approached by a stranger who offered each one a dollar if they could help him find his lost cat. According to eyewitnesses, the man then took out a knife and forced Martinez into the back of his car and drove off.

Immediately police were called and the search began. The community came out in droves putting up signs, holding candlelight vigils. Martinez’s mother was front and center pleading for the return of her son.

Seventeen days later on April 21st, a desert ranger discovered Anthony Martinez’s body in a remote area of Indio Hills, 50 miles east of Beaumont.

Watch: A look back at the kidnapping & murder of Anthony Martinez 20 years later The community, law enforcement and family were all crushed by the news that Martinez was dead. The Riverside County District Attorney vowing to find his killer. The story went National. A billboard went up on Interstate 10 with a picture of Martinez and a sketch of what the killer and the car looked like.

Fourteen years later, convicted serial killer Joseph Edward Duncan III, confesses and pleads guilty to kidnapping, raping and killing Anthony Martinez. A plea deal takes the death penalty off the table in exchange for life in prison. He’s currently serving two consecutive life sentences.

Martinez’s mother, Diana Reed, agreed to the plea deal saying it had been such a long road already that with the conviction and sentence of her son’s killer, now she could truly mourn his loss.