Police Release Identity of Person of Interest in Murder Case

Kristen Marti was found dead on March 25, 2018 and was reported missing on January 18, 2018 (Kristen Marti / courtesy photo)

Source: San Luis Obispo Police Department

WHAT: Search for Missing Person Kristen Marti
WHERE: Prefumo Canyon, San Luis Obispo County
WHEN: Wednesday March 28, 2018
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Captain Chris Staley

4/18/18 – UPDATE

The San Luis Obispo Police Department is releasing the name of the sole person of interest in the Kristen Marti case. Robert KOEHLER is a 36 year old resident of Arroyo Grande and owner of a local mobile mechanic service operated in Northern Santa Barbara and Southern San Luis Obispo Counties. Investigators are asking to speak with anyone who was in contact with KOEHLER during the week of January 9th, 2018.

If you had any dealings with KOEHLER we are asking you to contact Detective Kemp at 805-783-7765.

4/2/18 – UPDATE

The San Luis Obispo Police Department has received a positive identification on the body located in Prefumo Canyon as that of missing person Kriste n Marti. There are no further details being released at this time as this is an active investigation.

Investigators have been in close contact with the Marti family throughout the investigation. The Marti’s are requesting privacy as they work through this process and are asking not to be contacted by members of the media as they grieve the loss of their daughter.

3/29/18 – UPDATE

On Wednesday March 28, 2018, the San Luis Obispo County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy on the body located in Prefumo Canyon on Sunday. Due to condition of the body, identification and cause of death have not been made at this time. No additional information is being released at this time pending analysis of forensic evidence collected.

Initial information about a maroon sedan on Prefumo Canyon has been investigated and is no longer of interest in this case.

Detectives have identified a mid-90’s red, Chevy S-10 Blazer as a vehicle of interest in this case. We are asking for the public’s help. If you have any information about this vehicle on January 9th, 2018, in the evening hours in or around Prefumo Canyon, you are asked to call the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

ORIGINAL

On Sunday March 25, 2018 San Luis Obispo Police Detectives, along with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team conducted a large-scale search in Perfumo Canyon. The focus of this search was to locate Kristen Marti who was reported missing on January 18th, 2018. Marti was believed to have been in the 1800 block of Perfumo Canyon on January 9th, 2018. The Search and Rescue Team consisted of forty-five volunteers along with six K-9 teams, and SLO PD Detectives.

During the search, a Search and Rescue K-9 team located a body within the creek near the roadway in Perfumo Canyon. The body appeared to be that of a female, but the identity has not been confirmed at this time. Coroner Investigators and the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team were also called to the scene to assist in the recovery efforts. An autopsy will be performed to determine the identity of this person as well as the cause of death. Based on the circumstances surrounding this investigation, it is being investigated as a homicide at this time.

During this investigation, SLO PD Detectives have identified a person of interest who was believed to be the last person seen with Marti before her disappearance. His identity is not being released at this time due to the on-going investigation. Anyone with information into the disappearance of Kristen Marti is encouraged to contact the San Luis Obispo Police Department or Crime Stoppers.