Arizona Man Convicted of Murdering Ex-Girlfriend in California

Noel Ledesma strangled Yvette Martinez after his friends mocked him over failed corn maze date

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Noel Ledesma, a 44-year-old Arizona man, has been found guilty of first-degree murder for the 2010 killing of his ex-girlfriend Yvette Martinez in California. Prosecutors say Ledesma strangled Martinez after his friends teased him over his persistent attempts to contact her, which she had largely ignored. Martinez's body was later found in the trunk of her burning vehicle, which Ledesma had tried to dispose of by pushing it into a canyon.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and stalking, as well as the challenges in solving cold cases. It took over 15 years for investigators to link Ledesma to the crime through cellphone data analysis, showing the importance of modern forensic techniques in cracking difficult cases.

The details

According to prosecutors, Ledesma went to Martinez's home in Greenfield, California, a little after midnight on the night of the murder and waited there for hours until she arrived around 3:11 a.m. Martinez never made it inside her home, and her body was later found in the trunk of her burning vehicle. An autopsy determined she had died by strangulation. Ledesma's attempt to dispose of the car by pushing it into a canyon failed when it got stuck on a berm.

  • On the night of the murder in 2010, Ledesma waited at Martinez's home for several hours until she arrived around 3:11 a.m.
  • Martinez's car and body were found the next evening 'burning on the side of Highway 198, a few miles from Priest Valley Road'.
  • In 2024, the case was examined again by the Monterey County Cold Case Task Force, leading to Ledesma being charged in February 2025.
  • On Tuesday, a Monterey County jury found Ledesma guilty of first-degree murder.
  • Ledesma is due to be sentenced on March 12, 2026 and is expected to receive a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

The players

Noel Ledesma

A 44-year-old Arizona man who was found guilty of first-degree murder for the 2010 killing of his ex-girlfriend Yvette Martinez.

Yvette Martinez

A 22-year-old woman who was strangled to death by Ledesma in 2010. Her body was found in the trunk of her burning vehicle.

Monterey County District Attorney's Office

The prosecutors who charged Ledesma with Martinez's murder and secured his conviction.

Monterey County Cold Case Task Force

The team that re-examined Martinez's case in 2024, leading to Ledesma being charged the following year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The analysis revealed that Ledesma was present at or near Martinez's residence in Greenfield for several hours before she returned home.”

— Monterey County District Attorney's Office (newsfinale.com)

“Throughout the night, Ledesma was calling and texting Martinez's cell phone, but she largely ignored his texts and calls.”

— Monterey County District Attorney's Office (newsfinale.com)

“As the night progressed, Ledesma became angrier that Martinez was not responding to him. He told her that his friends were ridiculing him and laughing at him.”

— Monterey County District Attorney's Office (newsfinale.com)

What’s next

Ledesma is due to be sentenced on March 12, 2026 and is expected to receive a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and stalking, as well as the importance of modern forensic techniques in solving cold cases. It took over 15 years for investigators to link Ledesma to the crime, showing the persistence required to bring justice for victims of such heinous acts.