Missing woman murdered
By Lindsey Stockton, assistant editor
Law enforcement officers from Graham and Greenlee counties located the body of Eve Marie Batchelder of Safford on March 30. Batchelder, 27, went missing in the late night hours on Tuesday. She did not show up for work at The Beverage House on Wednesday, and family and co-workers were concerned for her welfare. Subsequent investigation by Safford Police officers indicated she was last known to be in the company of Jason Martinez, 29, also a Safford resident, in a 1977 light blue Chevrolet "zolotone"-painted pickup.
Officers received a tip during their investigation and located the pickup near the Black Hills Back Country Byway on Wednesday. They believe it was driven there by Martinez.Batchelder was found about 200 feet from the pickup, and officers believe Martinez rolled her body down a small hill. Rocks had been piled on top of her. Batchelder's body has been sent to the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office for a postmortem investigation that will determine the cause of death.Martinez was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and booked into the Graham County Jail. He was arraigned Thursday, and bond was set at $500,000 cash.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case or who may have seen Batchelder with Martinez is asked to contact the Safford Police Department at 928-428-6884 or Graham County Sheriff's Office at 928-428-3141. Anyone traveling on Hwy. 191 in the area of the Black Hills or on the Black Hills Byway and picked up a hitchhiker late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning is also asked to contact the authorities. Police investigators from several agencies, including the Safford Police Department, the Graham County Sheriff's Office, the Graham County Attorney's Office, the Thatcher Police Department, the Greenlee County Sheriff's Office, UAPD and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are cooperating on the case. There are a lot of rumors circulating about this case Safford Police Chief John Griffin said. It is important for people to wait for the facts. Look to the Courier's Web site and newspaper for up-to-date information about this case.
Murdered woman found happiness in her children
By Lindsey Stockton, assistant editor
The young life that was extinguished last week will continue to have a ripple effect throughout the community as the family faces her death and two children must deal with growing up without a mother.
Eve Marie Batchelder, 27, was likely killed March 28 or 29, and law enforcement officers in Graham and Greenlee counties are building a case against suspect Jason Martinez.
Eve returned to Arizona years ago after living in Maine for most of her young life. The return was spurred by her mother's death, which according to family, Eve took very hard.
"Eve's mother died (in Maine) in a car accident, and Eve took it very hard," Annette Martin, Eve's aunt, said. "After that, she packed up and moved back to Arizona.
"Eve, her father, and her brother, Tony, returned to Safford, where Eve worked at Safford Bowl and attended Mount Graham High School. She graduated in 2001 soon after the birth of her son, Collin.
Eve did not want to stop her education with a high school diploma, however, so she enrolled in Eastern Arizona College. Her efforts led to a degree in small business management.
Eve's second child, Zoe, was born in 2004, and, in her children, she found happiness, Adam Batchelder, Eve's brother said."Eve lived with open and hopeful eyes, ever searching for happiness," he said. " She eventually found that happiness in her children."
She was employed as the assistant manager of the Beverage House in Safford. Eve was transferred to a Tucson store for a short time before being given the general manager position at the Safford store.
As a single mother, she dedicated her life to giving her best to her children. She went on to college to secure a stable future for her little ones, Adam said." Whether in Arizona or Maine - within the many cities and towns she lived - Eve quickly found her place," he said. "She lived her life on the go, but with her ever -changing experiences she also found stability."
The information Martin has received about her niece's death has been minimal, but she said it was hard to believe that Eve was ever in an abusive relationship." She was a fighter," Martin said. "She wouldn't take grief from anyone. If anyone tried to give her grief, she got right up in their face and refused to take it."
Eve was autopsied by a medical examiner in Tucson on Saturday, but Police Chief John Griffin said it could be about 60 days before the results are released.
Investigators spent much of Saturday interviewing family members and friends.They also continued looking for the person who gave Martinez a ride back into Safford from the Black Hills, where his truck was found abandoned with two flat tires. Batchelder's body was found nearby, leading officers to believe he was given a ride back to town. A man who found Martinez hickhiking and gave him a ride came forward and was interviewed by officers Saturday.On Tuesday, investigators processed Martinez's truck for evidence.
Arizona Revised Statutes state that if the place of death cannot be determined by the evidence, then investigators are to assume that she died where her body was found.Because the body was found just inside the Greenlee County line, the case may be transferred - unless investigators can determine she was killed in Graham County.
Family, friends say farewell to Batchelder
By Lindsey Stockton, assistant editor
Hundreds of family members and friends said goodbye to a woman whose "heart was unbiased to those around her, and her compassion was ever flowing to those in need." That is how Eve Marie Batchelder's brother, Adam, described her at a funeral service Wednesday.
"Eve was a mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend," Adam said. "She will be greatly missed by many and forgotten by none."
Batchelder's father, Blaine, gave the closing prayer at her ceremony." I am grateful for the time Eve had on this Earth," he said, " and I am grateful for her beautiful spirit and the children she left behind."Batchelder was laid to rest in the Thatcher Cemetery.
There is a donation jar at The Beverage House, where Batchelder used to work, collecting money to help with funeral expenses and benefit her children.
Batchelder, 27, went missing in the late night hours of March 28. She didn't pick up her son that night or show up for work the following day, and family and co-workers were concerned for her welfare. Subsequent investigation by Safford Police officers indicated she was last known to be in the company of Jason Martinez, 29, also a Safford resident.
Officers located Martinez's pickup truck near the Black Hills Back Country Byway on March 29, and they believe Martinez drove there with Batchelder. Batchelder's body was found a couple hundred yards away, just inside the Greenlee County line. Martinez was arrested and charged with first-degree murder March 29.
Arizona Revised Statutes state that if the place of death cannot be determined by the evidence, then investigators are to assume that she died where her body was found.
Because the body was found just inside the Greenlee County line, the case has been transferred to Greenlee County. Martinez's preliminary hearing is in the Greenlee County Justice Court on Tuesday at 9 a.m. At this hearing, a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to the Greenlee County Superior Court for trial.
The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office performed a postmortem exam on Batchelder on April 1, and Martinez's truck was processed by crime scene technicians on Tuesday.
Close friend devastated by murder of friend
I just wanted to say that I have known Eve Batchelder all the years she lived in Maine, and I have kept in touch with her and her sister in Arizona.
When I was told of the news, I was devastated. Eve will be missed by everyone she has known. God bless Eve and her family, and most of all, God bless her children. The world has lost a very special person, but God has received an angel. I will miss you, Eve!
Amanda Kennison-South Paris, Maine
Eve Batchelder was a good friend of mine and many others.
It really hits close to home to hear one of my sisters has been murdered.I have been in a bad situation with the father of my kids for five years.Hearing the news of Eve crushes and scares the hell outme. Blessedssed be, Eve. . .
Stephanie Gould-South Paris, Maine
My name is Todd Levesque, and my wife, Loni, and I live in Addison, Maine.
My wife and Eve were close first cousins and were very proud that they shared the same middle name, Marie.Eve Marie Batchelder, like my wife, grew up under difficult circumstances, but they never resigned themselves to that. They both finished school and college and devoted themselves to their children.On the rare occasions Loni could talk to Eve on the phone, they talked for hours. Plans were always made for a future visit, but hectic schedules and busy lives always complicated things.Loni and I have been devastated by her senseless and tragic demise. Eve was and is a truly sweet, decent and devoted young lady. Our world will be emptier and less bright with her passing.
Someday Loni and I will visit Eve in Arizona. It's a tremendous shame our conversations with her will never be replied to.
Todd P. Levesque-Addison, Maine
Eve Marie Batchelder
(1978-2006)
Eve Marie Batchelder, 27, of Safford entered her eternal rest with her father in heaven on March 28, 2006. Eve was born in Globe on Nov. 17, 1978, to Valerie Batchelder (Giles), who preceded her in death, and Blaine Batchelder of Sidney, Ohio.
She is also survived by her son, Collin, and her daughter, Zoe; her grandparents, Charles and Phyllis Pelletier of Oxford, Maine; her brother, Adam Batchelder of Fairborn, Ohio; her brother, Tony of Safford; her sister, Anna of Sieverville, Tenn.; her sister, Amy Martinez of Safford; her brother, Chad Giles of Safford; two nieces, Molly and Neleha Batchelder of Fairborn; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Her grandparents, Earl and Eleanor Batchelder of Safford, preceded her in death.
Eve lived much of her childhood in Oxford, Maine, and attended Oxford Hills Junior High School and remained at Oxford Hills through her senior year of high school. Eve left school just prior to completing her high school education in 1997 and entered the workforce.
In search of greater opportunity, Eve returned to Arizona in 1999. Upon arriving in Safford, Eve enrolled in Mt. Graham High School. Eve's first child, Collin Michael, was born on Sept. 1, 2000. Eve graduated with her diploma in 2001 and enrolled in the Eastern Arizona College (EAC) in Thatcher. Eve graduated from EAC with a degree in small business management in 2003.
Soon after her graduation, Eve was employed as the assistant manager of the Safford Beverage House. Soon after, Eve was once again blessed with the birth of another child. Zoe Jean was born on Nov. 30, 2004. After only a short time, Eve was promoted to store manager of the Safford Beverage House.
Eve was a devoted mother, a loving sister and a caring friend. Her heart was unbiased to those around her, and her compassion was ever flowing to those in need. Eve will be greatly missed by many.
Arrangements were en-trusted with Morris Safford Funeral Home. Eve's final resting place is in the Thatcher Cemetery.
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