An 18-year-old, Blake Linkous, has been charged with murder following the death of his ex-girlfriend, 18-year-old Natalie Martin, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The incident occurred on June 6th during a post-graduation trip with friends. Linkous allegedly choked Martin during an argument inside their vacation rental. At a bond hearing, Martin's family expressed their grief and demanded justice, stating that Linkous should never be free again.

Judge Thomas Cooper Jr. set Linkous' bond at $150,000, citing a lack of prior violent behavior. The judge acknowledged Linkous' admission of responsibility for the incident. Reports indicate that after the alleged strangulation, Linkous attempted self-harm. Friends at the scene described Linkous emerging from the bedroom, distressed and claiming Martin wouldn't wake up.

According to Martin's friend, Brooklyn Ferrell, the couple had argued the day before the incident over text messages Martin exchanged with another man. Although the argument was seemingly resolved, the situation escalated the following night. Ferrell, who wasn't on the trip but has been in contact with those who were, recounted the events leading up to the discovery of Martin's body. She described how friends returned to the rental late at night and found the front door unanswered. Upon entering through the back, they heard noises but found nothing initially amiss. Later, they discovered the bedroom door locked where Linkous and Martin were supposed to be sleeping.

The group eventually went to sleep, only to be awakened by Linkous in the morning, panicked and claiming Martin was unresponsive. Friends attempted CPR, but it was too late. Ferrell stated Martin's body was already cold and stiff. The couple had dated for three years before breaking up in February following an alleged assault by Linkous on Martin. Ferrell revealed Linkous had been trying to reconcile with Martin and expressed remorse for his past actions. Despite his known temper, Ferrell said she never anticipated such violence.

Linkous, a former high school athlete, and Martin, a sports enthusiast, seemed an unlikely pair for such a tragic ending. Linkous' defense requested house arrest, but the judge imposed the $150,000 bond with conditions including waiving extradition to Ohio, house arrest with his parents, electronic monitoring, and a mental health evaluation.