Relatives Are Haunted by Questions in Deaths

The frustrated relatives of Tony Agapito Martinez Sr. knew better than to call him. The retiree liked to do things his way, and one thing he hated to do was talk on--or even answer--the telephone.

Now, a family member worries that the 80-year-old Martinez’s stubborn streak and slipping cognitive abilities contributed to a family tragedy. Martinez’s body was found this week in his home in Orange, not far from the body of his 41-year-old son, Gregory Felix Martinez, who apparently died two or three days before his father.

Both deaths appear to be natural, but the family is left to wonder if their father was aware that his son was dead and, if so, why he didn’t call for help.

“It’s a terrible, terrible thing, an awful shock,” said Tony Martinez Jr. of Garden Grove.

Autopsies were performed Monday, but further tests will be needed to determine the cause of death of the younger Martinez, whose body had begun decomposing. He had diabetes and his health had worsened recently, according to his brother.

The elder Martinez, who required a wheelchair, died of heart failure and did not show signs of malnutrition, according to Rick McAnally, a senior deputy coroner. A police detective said it was possible Martinez didn’t realize his son had died.

When Gregory Martinez, a machinist, had not shown up at work for several days, a co-worker went to his home in the 1700 block of East Rose Avenue, police said. Seeing an overstuffed mailbox and Martinez’s car, the friend called authorities.

Gregory Martinez, an Air Force veteran, sometimes jogged to work and watched his diet to keep his diabetes in check. But his condition had taken a turn for the worse in recent months, his brother said.

Still, at a dinner two weeks ago, both Gregory Martinez and his father looked “happy and fine,’ said Tony Martinez, who has been haunted by the thought of his dying father needing help.

Family members bought a telephone with extra-large buttons and an answering machine for the household to encourage their father to keep in touch, but to no avail, his son said.

“He still wouldn’t use the phone. That’s just the way it was.”