TYLER, TX — Authorities in Smith County have confirmed that human remains discovered off a rural county road are believed to be those of Courtney Martin, a 34-year-old woman from Tyler who went missing in the summer of 2023.
According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the remains were found just south of Hideaway in northern Smith County. While investigators are awaiting final confirmation through forensic testing, evidence strongly suggests the remains belong to Martin. Her disappearance had remained a painful mystery for more than a year, leaving her family and community desperate for answers.
Martin, who was autistic and also lived with mental health challenges, was not reported missing to law enforcement until two weeks after her disappearance. Her family has shared that the delay complicated the search efforts. Despite numerous appeals and pleas for information throughout 2023 and into 2024, little progress was made until the recent discovery.
Courtney’s sister spoke candidly about her struggles and vulnerabilities, emphasizing the challenges she faced as a woman living with both autism and mental illness. “Courtney was loving, but she needed care and protection,” her sister said. “Her life was not easy, but she was ours. To know she’s gone is devastating.”
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has not released details about how Martin may have died, and investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the discovery. No foul play has been ruled in or out at this stage.
Community members who followed her story over the past year have expressed deep sorrow at the tragic development. Advocates for missing persons and disability rights have also raised concerns about the unique challenges faced by vulnerable adults like Martin, stressing the importance of swift reporting when a person with special needs goes missing.
“Cases like Courtney’s highlight why immediate reporting is so critical,” said one local advocate. “Time can mean the difference between life and death, especially when someone is vulnerable.”
As her family grieves, they have asked for prayers and privacy while awaiting official confirmation and further information from investigators. Loved ones describe Courtney as gentle, creative, and full of potential despite her struggles.
Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced once confirmation of identity is complete. For now, her family and the Tyler community are left mourning the heartbreaking end to a long and uncertain search.