This story, originally published at 8:43 p.m. June 1, 2024, was updated at 6:30 p.m. to add the identity of the parole officer and other information.
Montgomery County police are searching for a man wanted in connection with the death of a Maryland Parole and Probation agent whose body was found Friday night in a Chevy Chase apartment, according to authorities.
The victim was identified as Davis Martinez, 33, of Silver Spring, a six-year employee of the Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services, police said during a Saturday afternoon press briefing at the county’s public safety headquarters in Gaithersburg.
The department’s Major Crimes Division is looking for Emanuel Edward Sewell, 54, of Chevy Chase in connection with the death of Martinez, which has been ruled a homicide by the state medical examiner’s office, police said.
“The loss is a tragedy. I want to extend my sympathies on behalf of County Executive [Marc] Elrich as well as the citizens of Montgomery County and men and women of the Department of Police,” police Chief Marcus Jones said during the briefing attended by Carolyn J. Scruggs, secretary of the state Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; and county and department officials.
Scruggs extended her condolences to Martinez’s family as well as agents within the division of parole and probation. “We’ve had many conversations about our agent, and things like ‘professional,’ ‘diligent’ [and] ‘resilient’ are what we hear about Agent Martinez,” Scruggs said.
The department has obtained a warrant for Sewell’s arrest, charging him with second-degree murder, according to police. The suspect, described as a Black male, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 250 pounds, may be driving a gray 2017 Hyundai Elantra with Maryland license plates 93661HT, according to police.
Sewell, a registered sex offender released in March 2021, may be armed and is considered dangerous, and those who come in contact with him are advised not to approach him, police said.
The suspect is believed to be in possession of Martinez’s badge, police said.
Maryland State Police have issued a Blue Alert–an emergency notification to help law enforcement search for suspects when an officer has been killed or is missing or there is a threat to officers–to aid in the search.
According to police, officers responded around 5:50 p.m. Friday to the 2800 block of Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase for a welfare check on the parole agent, who had not reported back to work after a “resident check” of Sewell.
In the residence, officers found Martinez dead at the scene.
The parole agent’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, where his death was ruled a homicide. He “suffered multiple injuries,” according to police.
Police urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of Sewell to call 301-279-8000 or visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tips may remain anonymous.
Freelance reporter Sebastien Kraft contributed to this story.
