Full Breakdown
Martinez Stabbing: Release, Burglary, and Murder
8/13/2026, 11:50:51 AM
Fatal Stabbing During a Burglary
On August 6, 2026, at approximately 5:10 p.m., 36-year-old Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valdez stabbed 68-year-old Todd Stewart to death on Stewart’s front lawn in Martinez, California. Prosecutors allege the killing occurred while Iriarte-Valdez was committing, attempting, or fleeing a residential burglary, and that he used a knife, triggering three special-circumstance enhancements that could carry life imprisonment without parole. He was arrested shortly after the attack and is being held without bail.
Background & Context
Iriarte-Valdez had previously been charged in connection with two residential burglaries in Orinda on April 29, 2026. He was placed on pre-trial release and later arrested for allegedly violating a home-detention condition. Under California’s April 30 bail-reform decision (the “Kowalczyk” ruling), defendants are released unless prosecutors present “clear and convincing” evidence of a serious risk. Two judges authorized his release on his own recognizance shortly before the homicide, despite the pending violation.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 29, 2026 | Arrested for burglary-related offenses in Orinda. |
| May 15, 2026 | Booked and later released on his own recognizance. |
| Early August 2026 | Taken into custody for violating home-detention terms. |
| Early August 2026 | Released on his own recognizance; ankle monitor reportedly not re-installed until the following day. |
| August 6, 2026 | Stabbed Todd Stewart to death during a burglary attempt. |
| August 8, 2026 | ICE placed an immigration detainer. |
| August 11, 2026 | Martinez Police presented the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. |
| September 1 (deadline) | Iriarte-Valdez is due back in court. |
Data & Statistics
- Suspect age: 36
- Victim age: 68
- Bail: $1.1 million (held without bail after arraignment)
- Weapon: Knife
- Charges: One count of murder plus three enhancements (burglary-related killing, use of a deadly weapon, commission while on conditional release)
Official Statements & Responses
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said her office will pursue the case “with diligence and integrity” to hold the suspect fully accountable.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s chief deputy director of communications, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, emphasized that California law does not prevent federal immigration enforcement and urged federal authorities to use existing resources.
Martinez Police Chief Andrew White described the investigative process, noting the use of automated license-plate recognition and community tips to locate the suspect’s vehicle.
On-the-Ground Reports
Neighbors described the scene as chaotic.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the identity of the judge who authorized the release. Fox News could not name the judge, while later local reports identify Judge David Goldstein as the presiding judge at arraignment and Judge Nichelle Holmes as the judge who ordered the release.
The timing of the ankle-monitor re-installation is also disputed: KTVU reports the monitor was not placed until the day of the homicide, whereas other outlets do not specify the exact date.
Details of Iriarte-Valdez’s immigration history beyond the DHS detainer have not been independently verified.
What’s Next
Iriarte-Valdez is scheduled to appear in court on September 1 for a hearing that will set a preliminary hearing date. The case remains under active investigation, and authorities continue to seek additional information from the public.
