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2 charged with kidnapping, human trafficking in death of N.H. woman
Two suspects are facing charges including kidnapping and human trafficking in the death of a New Hampshire woman whose body was found in Warwick, Mass.
Two arrests have been made in connection with the death of a New Hampshire woman whose body was found in Warwick, Mass. in October, prosecutors said.
Investigators determined that Justina Steffy, 31, from Keene, N.H., died Oct. 13, 2024 in a Keene residence from a drug overdose, the New Hampshire Department of Justice said in a press release. Steffy’s body was later disposed of in Warwick, where investigators discovered it Oct. 23.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and concluded that Steffy’s death was a homicide caused by narcotics that others had injected into her, the release said.
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Keene police obtained arrest warrants charging Andrea Martin, 42, with dispensing a controlled drug with death resulting. Martin allegedly sold or dispensed a substance containing fentanyl to Steffy, and she died as a result of injecting or ingesting that substance, according to the release.
Martin has also been charged with allegedly falsifying physical evidence by removing Steffy’s body from Keene and disposing of it in Warwick, the release said.
Christian Torruellas, 32, is charged with additional crimes, according to the release. Both suspects are facing kidnapping charges which allege that Martin and Torruellas confined another victim, an adult female, from about Oct. 1 to Oct. 17. Martin is facing an additional kidnapping charge for allegedly confining Steffy from about Oct. 10 to Oct. 13, the release said.
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Martin and Torruellas have also each been charged with one count of human trafficking, which alleges that they forced an adult victim other than Steffy to “perform a service or labor for the benefit of another.” The two suspects also allegedly harmed or threatened to harm the victim, confined them using actual or threatened force, controlled their access to an addictive substance, and threatened serious physical harm or restraint, according to the release.
This victim’s name will not be released for legal reasons, the release said.
Martin’s arraignment was set for Wednesday, according to the release.
Torruellas is incarcerated on unrelated federal charges, and the date and time of his arraignment are pending, the statement said.
“Today’s arrests are a significant development in the investigation into the tragic death of Justina Steffy. I want to make it clear that New Hampshire takes allegations of human trafficking very seriously,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella. “We are committed to pursuing justice and holding accountable those who exploit vulnerable individuals. Our thoughts are with Ms. Steffy’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and we urge anyone with information to come forward.”
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Anyone with information about Steffy’s death is urged to contact Keene Police Detectives Jennifer Truman or Andrew Lippincott at [email protected], [email protected], or 603-357-9820.
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