FILE - Blake Linkous mug shot. (Horry County Police Department)An Ohio teenager who graduated from high school last month was allegedly strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend on a senior trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, police said.Natalie Martin, 18, was staying with friends, including her ex-boyfriend, Blake Linkous, at a holiday apartment rental on Maison Drive, according to an incident report.
The trip took a tragic turn on June 6 when Linkous allegedly attacked Martin."Blake William Linkous did with malice aforethought cause the death of Natalie Martin," the incident report says. "The defendant did so by manually strangling the victim."FLORIDA MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER FOUND MURDERED AT HOME NEAR HER WAILING INFANTThe police documents don't indicate what triggered the horrific slaying.Linkous was arrested June 8 on one count of murder and is being held at the J.
Reuben Long Detention Center without bond, records show. OHIO INMATE WHO ESCAPED PRISON FOUND DEAD AFTER BOATER FINDS BODY FLOATING IN RIVER Martin's friend Brooklyn Ferrell launched a GoFundMe to help raise money for her funeral expenses.She told the local newspaper the Sun News that Martin and Linkous had been in a relationship for several years but split up recently.Martin and Linkous both graduated May 26 from Philo High School in Duncan Falls, Ohio.
Her mom's Facebook page features photos of her in a yellow gown and matching cap receiving her diploma. Principal Troy Dawson, who oversees the rural high school of about 500 students, told Fox News Digital that the killing has deeply shaken the community. UTAH MAN ALLEGEDLY POISONED BY AUTHOR WIFE BELIEVED SHE WAS HAVING AFFAIR: FAMILY SPOX"We're hurting.