Mandy Martinez, the mother of murder victim Jacelyn O’Connor, spoke out Tuesday afternoon for the first time since her daughter was found murdered during the morning hours of Sunday, July 30.
Martinez, who lives in the Bronx, says she hasn’t seen her daughter in more than three years citing a battle with addiction. Martinez was at the Town of Norwich Court where both suspects had hearings scheduled Tuesday.
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During an interview with attending press, Jacelyn said her daughter had “suffered ongoing abuse” through her life.
“I can’t believe that everybody has come together like this. I didn’t know she meant that much to everybody,” Martinez said of what she believes is support for her among the community.
James Brower and Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding were arrested and charged with the of killing the 11-year-old at the home of 961 County Route 33 in the town of Norwich.
Reports say the pair killed Jacelyn by smothering her during a sexual assault. Brower and O’Connor are “related,” according to prosecutors.