A Pompano Beach man was behind bars Thursday after authorities say he viciously beat his mother to death in the apartment they share.
Danny Martin, 30, was arrested on first-degree murder charges Wednesday in the beating death of his mother, 48-year-old Heidi Mittica, the Broward Sheriff's Office said Thursday.
Mittica was "a very, very devoted mother and grandmother " who was "passionate about her children," said John Lofquist, who worked with her at a Boca Raton marketing firm.
As they work day got underway Wednesday, coworkers realized something just wasn't right.
"It was very strange that she would not be in the office yesterday and not be in touch with anybody to let them know why she wasn’t there. It was very noticeable," Lofquist said. "Finally a couple of the people said, ‘Look, you’ve gotta call her.'"
According to the BSO, Mittica's employer sent someone to check on her, and when the person arrived at her home in the 100 block of N. Pompano Beach Boulevard, they made the gruesome discovery.
An investigation led police to suspect Martin in the murder. After a search with the help of the Boca Raton Police Department, Martin was found hiding in his mother's car on Palmetto Park Road, the BSO said.
Martin had cuts on his face and hands as well as bruises on his hands sustained during the beating of Mittica, the BSO said. Authorities said Martin has an extensive criminal history.
Martin was being held without bond Thursday at the Broward County Main Jail. It was unknown whether he has an attorney.
News of the Mittica's violent death has blindsided Lofquist and her other work friends of the past eight years.
"The CEO of the company called a meeting, we were all sitting in here when he made the announcements, the audible gasps of surprise and anguish and people getting up and walking out, they couldn’t sit any longer and listen to it," Lofquist said. "It’s had a profound effect on everybody here."
