Iowa law enforcement officials have announced an arrest in the 2021 homicide of real estate agent Jodie Huegerich. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) stated that 41-year-old Michael John Martinez of Des Moines was taken into custody on March 18, 2026, and charged with first-degree murder.
Jodie Huegerich, 49, was found deceased in a home in the 100 block of SE Trilein Drive in Ankeny on October 8, 2021. She had been showing the property at the time. The Polk County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death a homicide caused by sharp force injuries.
The investigation, led by the Ankeny Police Department and the Iowa DCI, remained active for over four years. Authorities have not disclosed a potential motive or what specific evidence led to the arrest. Martinez is being held at the Polk County Jail without bond.
"This arrest is the result of countless hours of dedicated work by our investigators and partner agencies," said Ankeny Police Chief Gary Mikulec in a statement. The case highlights the persistent efforts to solve cold cases involving violence against professionals, like real estate agents, who often meet clients alone.
