Martin was last seen at her home in Lincoln, Illinois on June 2, 1976. She has never been heard from again. After her disappearance, her vehicle was found abandoned in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn in Bloomington, Illinois. Martin did not check into the inn, however. Her car had a flat tire and bloodstains in the trunk when it was found.

Martin was scheduled to testify against Russell Smrekar, who was accused of shoplifting two steaks from a Kroger grocery store. He was subsequently convicted of murdering Robin and Jay Fry and was sentenced to 200 to 600 years in prison. He is eligible for parole every three years, but has been denied every time. Jay was the store clerk who saw Smrekar try to steal the steaks and was going to testify against him at the trial. Robin was Jay's wife, and was pregnant at the time of her death. Smrekar is also believed to be responsible for Martin's disappearance and for the disappearance of Michael Mansfield, a witness against him in an unrelated burglary case, but he has never been charged in connection with their cases. A photograph of Smrekar is posted below this case summary.

Authorities have stated that the investigation into Mansfield and Martin's disappearances has never been closed and police still hope to resolve their cases. Martin was employed as a real estate agent at the time of her disappearance, and she has two children. Her disappearance and Mansfield's remain unsolved.

Above: Smrekar, circa 2006