Where Are Anthony Martinez’s Mother Diana Reed and Brother Marcos Medina Now? – Marcos Medina was just six years old when the unthinkable occurred as he was out playing with his brother, Anthony Martinez, and some friends in April 1997. Anthony was kidnapped and murdered around two weeks later by a guy eventually identified as Joseph Duncan.
‘People Magazine Investigates: Groene Family Massacre‘ on Investigation Discovery dives into Joseph Duncan’s bizarre acts, and Marcos speaks with his mother, Diana Reed, about the incident. Here’s what we know about the Anthony Martinez murder case and Anthony’s family if you’re interested.
Must Read: Who Were Joseph Duncan’s Victims? How Many Did He Kill? How Did He Die?
Diana Reed and Marcos Medina: Who Are They?
When the incident occurred, Anthony was just ten years old. He was Marcos’ older brother, and Monica was only four years old at the time. On April 4, 1997, Anthony, Marcos, and a few other friends were playing in their backyards in Beaumont, California, when a stranger approached them with an apparently harmless request. “He approached the fence and called us forward,” Marcos subsequently explained. When we arrived, he showed us a photograph of a cat. Then, he offered everyone of us a $1 if we would help him find his cat.”
- Diana Reed: Anthony Martinez Mother
- Marcos Medina: Anthony Martinez’s Younger Brother
They assisted in the search for the cat but were unable to locate the animal. The man then handed each youngster $1, but he attempted to take Marcos before grabbing Anthony. At knifepoint, the man grabbed the 10-year-old Anthony, loaded him into a car, and drove away. The family launched a desperate search for the child with the help of the authorities. However, the worst-case scenario came to pass when Anthony was found killed beneath some rocks in a California canyon.
Duct tape was used to bind Anthony. Authorities didn’t discover of Joseph Duncan’s connection to Anthony until 2005, when he was jailed in Idaho for multiple killings and kidnappings. His fingerprints matched a partial thumbprint on the tape found at the scene, and he confessed to the crime. The ten-year-old had been raped and then murdered by Joseph.
For Anthony’s murder, Joseph was sentenced to consecutive life sentences in prison in 2011. Diana, who gave birth to Anthony at the age of 16, said he taught her a lot. However, Anthony’s mother preferred to focus on his accomplishments rather than what he would be missing out on.
“Duncan has indicated that he did this to punish society, and I had no desire to inform him of the anguish he had caused my family,” she said. “That was something I wasn’t going to let him take from my family. Duncan isn’t even human in my mind.”
Anthony’s younger brother, Marcos Martinez said: “God has brought pure justice for all those Joseph Duncan has hurt. There is less evil in this world. Nothing can bring my brother back, but now Duncan can never hurt anyone ever again. Because of him, I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to fight against any evil left in the world.”
What Has Happened to Diana Reed and Marcos Medina?
Diana also mentioned how difficult it may be at times, saying, “It’s a long, long, often extremely lonely road, and I wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out again… If I did that, I thought I would be betraying my son; no one will battle harder for your loved one than you.”
Anthony’s mother, Diana, said, “The sun is brighter today, and my soul is lighter,” “The world is a more beautiful place without the evil that is Joseph Duncan. God chose to make his end a long suffering and I believe that is fitting. The horror of his thoughts consumed him.”
Ultimately, she found strength in advocating for Anthony. Joseph’s death in prison in March 2021 brought her relief. Diana appears to be currently residing in Clay Center, Kansas, where she spends time with her grandchildren.
When Marcos learned of Joseph’s death, he had strong words to say. “God has brought perfect justice for all those Joseph Duncan has wronged,” he said. “In this world, there is less wickedness. Nothing will ever be able to bring my brother back, but Duncan will never be able to harm anyone again.”
“Because of him, I intend to devote the remainder of my life to fighting whatever remains evil in the world.” Marcos is currently employed as a security manager for a Kansas-based education and training company.
Watch ‘People Magazine Investigates: Groene Family Massacre’ episode on Investigation Discovery.