A 66-year-old woman is behind bars facing a first-degree murder charge after police say she admitted to ending her elderly mother’s life, claiming it was the 97-year-old’s dying wish.
Martha Jo Blake was arrested following the death of her mother, Patricia Blake, who was found deceased in her home on December 26. While Martha Blake initially told investigators her mother died of natural causes related to Parkinson’s disease and thyroid issues, a grisly autopsy report prompted a sudden shift in her story.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Blake residence the morning after Christmas. Martha, who lived with her mother, claimed she had last seen Patricia alive the previous night. Because Patricia’s primary care physician was located in Maine, the death was referred to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office for routine investigation.
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The medical findings, however, quickly turned a death investigation into a homicide case.
The medical examiner reported that Patricia Blake’s body showed distinct signs of trauma inconsistent with a natural death. Notable findings included a lack of post-mortem blood pooling in the nose—suggesting something had been pressed against her face—along with internal bleeding, petechiae in the eyes and mouth, and a fresh fracture in her neck.
Confronted with the physical evidence, police say Martha Blake’s narrative changed.
Investigators reviewed body camera footage from the initial response, noting that Martha had insisted on remaining close to her mother’s body. After securing a search warrant for the home, detectives interviewed Martha again. She allegedly waived her rights and provided a detailed account of the events leading up to her mother’s death.
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Martha told detectives she had served as her mother’s caregiver for five years. She claimed that 18 months prior, she and Patricia had consulted a doctor in Maine about “death with dignity” options. The physician reportedly denied the request because Patricia did not have a terminal illness.
According to the affidavit, the mother and daughter later discussed suicide by pills but lacked medication lethal enough to complete the act. Martha allegedly told police that her mother frequently stated she “did not want to live.” Police say Martha eventually admitted to taking matters into her own hands to fulfill that request.
Martha Jo Blake is currently being held without bond at the Main Detention Center in West Palm Beach. She is scheduled to appear in court on January 25, 2026.
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