Reward Increased in Unsolved Tampa Homicide

TBO.com reporter Josh Poltilove posted an article Tuesday regarding an increase in the reward money offered for information in the unsolved slaying of Emilio Martinez-Rodriguez.

Martinez-Rodriguez, 34, was last seen by his wife, Kacee, on Dec. 15, when he left his home on West Dallas Avenue in the Wellswood neighborhood. He had left home at 6:30 p.m. to buy groceries and takeout food from China Moon restaurant for his wife, who is four and a half months pregnant with their first child, a son.

Detectives believe Martinez-Rodriguez made it back to their home, but he never went inside. His wife later found a small bag of groceries in the driveway.

On Dec. 23, Martinez-Rodriguez's body and car were discovered in a wooded area near Orient Road and Sligh Avenue. Police have not released details on the condition of his body or his car. X-rays were used to identify the victim.

In January, Martinez's family had offered a $4,000 reward, with $1,000 more coming from Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay. Today, the family increased its reward offer by an additional $20,000.

To report information on this case anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477 or report it online at www.crimestopperstb.com or text CSTB plus your tip to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).