New York Man Convicted of Fraudulent Life Insurance Scheme and Gruesome Murder of Woman

A New York man was convicted for killing and dismembering a woman after fraudulently taking out a life insurance policy in her name and attempting to collect the benefits, federal prosecutors announced on Monday.

Crime Shows Inspiration

Cory Martin, a 36-year-old resident of Queens, was found guilty in the 2018 death of Brandy Odom, a 26-year-old woman whose body was discovered scattered in a park in Brooklyn. During the trial at Brooklyn federal court, it was revealed that Martin had watched crime shows such as "Dexter" and "The First 48" for tips on how to execute the crime and evade capture. Testimony from a co-conspirator indicated that Martin managed the victim, who worked as a sex worker.

Motivated by Greed

The U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, Breon Peace, stated that the murder-for-hire charge carries a mandatory life sentence, which he believes is fitting for what he described as a "ghastly, cold-blooded crime." Peace emphasized that the crime was carefully planned and motivated by greed, highlighting that Martin viewed the victim as a source of profit, having trafficked her for commercial sex before killing her with his bare hands and disposing of her body parts.

Fraudulent Life Insurance Policies

Prosecutors revealed that Martin and his co-conspirator, Adelle Anderson, lived together in Queens and had fraudulently obtained two life insurance policies in Odom's name the year before the murder. The scheme came to light when a cadaver dog detected the scent of the victim in one of their cars, prompting an investigation by the New York Police Department.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, Anderson, who pleaded guilty to charges related to the life insurance scheme and murder plot, testified about their preparations, including the meticulous dismemberment of Odom's body in a bathtub. She also disclosed that Martin had conducted numerous internet searches related to news articles and coverage about the discovery of the victim's remains in a park in Brooklyn.

Verdict and Closure

Nicole Odom, the victim's mother, expressed that her daughter "liked to be her own boss" and had pursued various job-training certificates after moving out at the age of 18. Following the verdict, U.S. Attorney Peace stated, “Brandy Odom suffered an unthinkable death at the defendant's hands, but her life mattered, and I hope that this verdict holding the defendant responsible brings some measure of closure to her family.”