In a major development out of Southern California, authorities have filed murder charges against leaders and members of a secretive religious organization tied to the deaths of a man who disappeared in 2023 and a young child who died in 2010. The actions mark a significant breakthrough in long-running investigations into troubling incidents linked to the group’s operations.
Suspects Charged in Two Distinct Deaths
Shelley “Kat” Martin, 62, identified as a leader and self-declared “prophetess” of the His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, now faces murder charges in both cases. Her husband, Darryl Martin, 58, is charged specifically in relation to the child’s death, according to court filings from San Bernardino County prosecutors.
- In the child’s case, investigators allege the couple actively prevented a 4-year-old boy from receiving critical medical care for appendicitis while he was under their custody in 2010. Local police maintain that deprived medical attention likely contributed to the boy’s death.
- The adult case centers on the disappearance of Emilio Ghanem, a longtime member whose burned-out vehicle was found in a remote desert area following his unexplained absence in 2023. While Ghanem’s body has not yet been recovered, prosecutors say evidence suggests a homicidal act tied to the group.
Group’s Secretive Nature and Investigation Challenges
Authorities have described the His Way Spirit Led Assemblies as a religious high-control group, whose insular behaviors posed significant challenges to law enforcement efforts in both investigations. Former members, previously reluctant to speak with officials, have provided fresh information that helped reopen the 2010 child death inquiry after years of uncertainty.
Investigators emphasized that the group’s internal culture and secrecy hindered early efforts to solve these cases, prolonging the path to justice for both families.
