(MARCH 15, 3:15pm) Billings police say that officers have detained a 19-year-old "person of interest" in connection with the homicide, and arrested a 13-year-old on suspicion of tampering with evidence. The 19-year-old was detained, according to Lennick, but he has not been charged at this point. The 13-year-old was charged and taken into custody of Youth Services.
Lt. Matt Lennick said in a news release that police recovered the body of Andy Paul Beartusk Martinez in an outbuilding after obtaining a search warrant for a residence on the 900 block of Terry Avenue. While Lennick did not identify Martinez in the release, family members confirmed the identity to MTN News.
Martinez was reported missing March 7, and police followed up leads in Billings and in Pryor, according to Lennick. Family members also took up the search in the area around Central Park, where he was last seen.
Family of Martinez say he was visiting Billings from California when he disappeared and believe he had gotten involved in gang activity. Billings police also say the group of teens the 12-year-old was known to associate with were well known to officers.
We will update you as we get more information.
(MARCH 15, 2:30pm) Billings police are investigating the suspicious death of a boy at 936 Terry Avenue.
Lt. Brandon Wooley told MTN News at the scene that the incident is connected with a case of a missing 12-year-old boy, whom he did not identify.
Billings police recently posted on Facebook a request to help search for 12-year-old Andy Paul Beartusk Martinez, who was last seen around Central Park.
Family members of the missing boy confirmed to MTN News on Friday afternoon that the deceased is Martinez.
We will update you as we get more information.
(MARCH 13) Family and friends gathered at Central Park in Billings Wednesday trying to track down clues that might help them find a missing 12-year-old boy.
Andy Paul Beartusk Martinez was last seen on Febuary 21. He is 5-foot, 3-inches tall and 82 pounds.
Billings police say they believe Martinez ran away from home and could be either in the Billings area or on the Crow reservation.
However, his family is concerned it could be something else.
“I’m very hopeful. I just hope he’s out there. If he’s scared, it’s okay to come back home, Andy. We want you home, Andy. And if you’re that someone hiding him or you know something and you’re not speaking up, you should because we’re worried,” said sister Laila Kade Beartusk.
Beartusk was last seen near Central Park.
The family is asking all residents in the area to check their security footage from February 21.
