The Betrayal of Martre Coles 

The fact that they made him believe his dreams were being manifest and witnessed his pure excitement and joy and then still went through with murdering him is extra cruel and sadistic.

That young girl is not only the definition of being brave, she is also smart as hell. Imagine planning a phone call on a false burglary to get the police to come to your house, in order to give them vital information without raising suspicion from your entire family... Elena, you are an inspiration. And thank you Mike for bringing this story to us, you always have an eye for the compelling ones and we always love to see it.

I hope the father spends the rest of his life miserable, wishing he had loved, appreciated, and looked after his son better. What a loser for not just accepting his son for the sweet, sensitive, creative person he was and allowing such a terrible fate to befall him.

Absolutely evil. He was probably months from leaving home anyway and his father didn't seem to care about him. They had zero reason to kill him.

Bless that young girls heart for coming forward. It takes a lot of courage and sense of justice to go against family… I hope she lives well.

That little girl, who didn't even like her step brother was the one who stood up for him in the end. I will be over here crying. This one hit harder than normal, he seemed like a sweet kid

this story isn't the most violent or twisted case you've covered, but for whatever reason, the cruelty of this one made me cry

The 12 year old must have been terrified stuck in the house with people she saw murdering her step brother... I feel absolutely terrible for her 💔

I’m so happy that the 12 year old was brave enough to tell the police what happened, that woman is a sick cruel fool and I hope she has a terrible time in prison, same with the other lady. Martre seemed like the kind of guy I would’ve gotten along with, Rest In Peace dude.

I’m proud of the youngest child. She may not have been able to stop it from happening, but she definitely made it where the murderers would be brought to justice even though they were her family

Quick note; Matre was known for his masks. They were one of the main components of his art portfolio.

As a young black man myself who just wanted to get out and live my own life as well as losing my mother at 21, this really hit home

I've become so desensitised to true crime cases but this one hit me hard. His excitement for the email, the little girl talking to the police, and the loss of his mother. Truly a heartbreaking case. Rest in peace Martre Coles, he will live on through his art.

This woman was just absolutely hateful and did such an evil act. Martre was an innocent young man who had a beautiful thing to offer humanity through art. It’s so tragic.

I’m so sorry Martre, so many people failed you. Rest In Peace.

Snobby art aficionado here. That young man had serious talent. I mean workable talent where you have a job and buy a house and your kids go to college and everything. What a tragedy.

God Bless that little girl. She has more heart and morals than that entire “family” put together.

My heart hurts for Martre. He deserved so much more. Not even his own father looked out for him after his mother passed and just to be murdered by the new woman. Everything about this is awful

I'm so sad, hearing about Martre who only wanted to escape and see his dreams, crushed by a selfish evil woman who was consumed with hate. RIP Martre you deserved so much better than what you were given 😥

The most confusing aspect of this case was Elenas actions. She hated Martre, she constantly broke his things, stole from his room, did things and blamed him for it. Denice didn't want to punish her kid so she let it all slide....... and then she turns on her mom and sister, that was beyond brave! I hope she is in a better place!

That poor young man just wanted a life, a chance to get out in the world with his art. And that little girl who had the guts to speak up -- two young lives wrecked. I hope the girl gets all the help in the world to have a healthy life.

This is one of the most upsetting cases you've covered - Martre seemed like such a sweet guy - and the fact there was no practical reason or even a greed for some benefit at his death - just pure hatred from those malicious butt-ugly waste of space women - pure living-breathing evil & that is the really chilling element.

Ashlyn is my sister. This event was so heartbreaking and devastating for my entire family but especially my sister Ashlyn and me and my mother who were by her side and her biggest comfort through it all and there for everything. I'm glad to see some youtube videos sharing and continuing on Martre's life and what happend to him. When all this happend it was so traumatizing and the fact that people we knew that were so close to us could be so evil and do something so horrible was something we never expected or thought we would be made to experience. Maitre in my opinion and probly most people's was my sister's true soul mate because he was the best relationship she ever had and she was the best he ever had. Her relationship before him was very abusive in ways. Martrw was such an amazing and talented person who I'm so blessed to have known. My sister still has his artwork and alot of his things. They were constantly together but at the time my sister was visiting my gma in NC but instantly knew something was wrong when he didnt reply to her and returned to VA were we lived at the time. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

like everyone else says, Matre's smile was one of a kind. I'm sure his energy is elsewhere on this life journey and I wish him well 🥰🥰

This story was so freaking heartbreaking. This poor boy. Just some evil people out there taking away decent and lovely people.

Not a lot of people have a pure, genuine smile like Martre did. I bet he was a really good dude.

God bless that 12 year old girl. She is so strong, you can tell it in her ability to do what’s right even through the circumstances. Crazy story

That poor sweet, innocent boy. Bravo to the young step-sister for having the nerve to inform the police. Whilst Maurice and Matre weren’t close, I’m sure Maurice still mourned his sons death. Loss of a wife then a son, that’s got to be hard to take. RIP Matre.

This world is so fallen. Broken people breaking other people everyday, and thinking nothing of it. 😓 Rest In Peace, Martre.

This is one of the saddest you've covered. Poor kid, didn't deserve such evil. Bless that young girl for telling the police.

You can see the stupidity on the faces of those two devils in their mugshots. What a disgusting pair they are. I truly hope their prison stay is as miserable as possible. 🤬

I'm usually horrified by the cases you cover; this is one that made me cry. How horrible.

Imagine getting so mad as a kid that you stab your stepbrother. Then you're not mad, as a kid, and you see that same stepbrother being killed by your "real" family. And have to tell the cops.... That young girl ALREADY had problems. I hope she is receiving the mental and emotional help that she so clearly needs. Thank-you Mike, for telling us about cases with compassion and humor, like only you deliver. Love you too Mike!

As this story unfolded, I kept wondering, "Why? Why?" and it turns out there is no reason. A life wasted, and another one messed up probably forever. How does a 12-year-old witness a violent murder by two family members and grow up okay? I hope she knows how strong she is, how incredibly smart she is (making something up so the police would come), and how much we all admire her. May she get the help she needs, and soar high and far in life.

If there's something I've learned from this case, it's let try our Best to protect each other. This case proves that some of us have absolutely NO ONE, not one person to care about us. In a World of nearly 10 billion people, the paradoxical tragedy is that anyone would be unloved. I hope you're creating, wherever you are, Martre. I'm sure you are.

Watching mike go from 200k to almost 2 mil is absolutely insane and never seemed so well deserved, keep it up Mike you do an amazing job and bring light to so many important things ❤️

My son reminds me of Martre. He’s actually my husband’s stepson from his previous marriage that we help raise as our own. Such a great kid, big brother , and talented artist. Instead of discouraging him by yelling “get off of that game!” We encourage him to take STEM courses and PS classes to hone his skills. So this one hits home. I know a handful of guys from the hood who went on to break generational curses by going to Full Sail. The people that were responsible for this were a cancer to their community including his father.

This is one of the most heartbreaking cases that I have heard so far.This completely innocent, sweet guy was murdered by a person he trusted, because she was jealous - of what? Him being his mother's son? His father, whose affection Denise craved, didn't even care for him! That's just... Rest in peace, Martre, you deserved better.

I kept looking for some comment to say this but didn't find it, so here goes. The paper mask request was beacuse it was something Martre liked to do and was passionate artistically about apparently. This case was covered a while back by the Crime Junkie podcast and they talked about it in more detail, really recommed a listen.

this case just broke my heart completely

Martre had huge talent and a beautiful smile. I hope he’s with his Mom now. RIP

I heard another version of this and what struck me was that for several years, Martre had so many issues with his father just not understanding who he was or caring at all about his son's grief and basically leaving him to deal with it on his own. From the time she moved in, Denise helped to comfort him and even to smooth things out between the father and son when dad got irritated or whatever because his son was different than what he thought he should be. Then she just turns around and kills him. And at a point in his life when he was very likely going to move out and move on anyway-

This story is so heartbreaking. I still remember how excited I was as a young artist when I learned I was accepted into an art school..They dangled that joy in front of him and them snuffed out his life. True evil.

That email is just MADE of red flags. This story makes my guts hurt. Poor kid. And here's yet more evidence that we need laws in the US that every missing persons case should be treated as suspicious/a crime unless and until the person is found. No more of this "they're an adult and can just walk away"--they almost never just walk away.

Dude, this is one of the saddest stories you've told. God that poor kid! His smile was infectious because it was an honest, open smile. NO ONE deserves this and I can't imagine what was going thru his head while he was being murdered by a woman he came to love and call "mom". She's the worst kind of human monster, and there's PLENTY of those to go around.

I feel terrible for the victim, he was surely so excited and had so much to live for.

18:44 Folks, if you ever receive a letter from a person in a profession, make sure it doesn't have run-on sentences, sentences without commas, capital letters, and the like. I realize a lot of people don't take grammar seriously, but in this case, he lost his life because he didn't expect a professional person to write professionally. This letter clearly shows that the person writing it does NOT work for a university of any sort, or any white collar profession where the standards are higher (as should be expected).

The daughter who came forward against her own family is a saint. Twelve years old and knowing what the people around you are capable of, and still speaking to the police. Elana probably wasn't terribly "troubled", she probably just knew how to navigate and survive her mother and sister. Fly high, Martre: you deserved so much better.

I wonder if part of her motive was to put the dad in another vulnerable state where he’d need her again. This story is just hurts me. He looks like the nicest kid. Poor boy lost his mother and was left with a POS dad who clearly didn’t care if he was alive or dead, yet didn’t go off the rails with drugs or drop out… instead he pursued art and dreamed about going to college. It breaks my heart.

Both women and men need to be mindful of who they bring around their children. Some people are so blinded by selfishness and hate that will harm your children to hurt you. So sad.

This is so unbelievably sad. I'm crying. RIP Martre, I hope you're somewhere in Heaven working on your art.

This is an extremely heartbreaking case. Poor boy and that brave little girl! God bless her I pray she's a living a good, safe life.

I think what made this case depressing was that Martre was preparing to fulfill his dreams and to achieve success. He was such a kind hearted young man and could have done amazing artwork. AND instead, he was lied to and killed. For nothing but jealousy over his deceased mother. Whom cherished and loved him the most. Martre deserved everything. His life, his dreams and his happiness. Rest in peace, Martre.

To prey on someone’s hopes and dreams like that. I find that to be the most disgusting part. Poor man.

As a step child I am so incredibly grateful that my step father is the best man I know. You see too many stories about step children being abused and killed. And the little sister is the bravest person at such a young age. What a wonderful human with strength I can’t even begin to comprehend

I've heard about this one a while back and it is still just as heartbreaking hearing Mike tell Martre's story. What a promising future taken away for literally the stupidest reasons.

Elena is one brave and smart gal for coming forward and talking to the police when she had a chance. Risky considering her own life was in danger for knowing too much. It was heart-stopping to hear the police almost not believe her. I kept yelling at my phone like they could hear me “she’s not lying!! She’s in danger too! Do something!”

This is one of the few cases that make me cry. He was almost free. His mom really supported and encouraged his artistic endeavors too. As someone who grew up with abuse and was the "black sheep", I know the feeling of just trying to push through. As someone who always wanted a child, I just want to reach out and hug him. Denise missed an opportunity to love and make a difference in his life. I hope Mattre is at peace with his beautiful mother💞✨

This story made me so very sad. He looked like such a nice kid, a good kid. I so hope Elena is doing okay. She was so very brave and did do the right thing. What a terrible story. And how could the mother do such a thing and involve her own children. So sad.

Even worse, pretending to be a rep from the college, told him make a paper mache mask to take and show the art school. After she killed him, she put the mask over his face and stuffed him in that bin. In essence, she had him making his own death mask. How sadistic 😟

This is probably the saddest and most heart breaking story I’ve come across. RIP Martre You deserved a whole lot better

Denise's younger daughter put her life on the line for informing the police, and the police responded by ignoring her claim, not even checking to see if Martre was OK. At least they filed a report, but that was the least they could do. Scarey when police report a possible murder and do nothing about it. I hope someone had to account for this.

I’m a Highland Spring Alumni, but haven’t lived there or been back home in many years. This story breaks my heart for both Martre & Dennise’s youngest child (?). I can’t believe that LE left that 12yo child in the hands of what she accused as murderers! They should have immediately removed her from that woman & sister’s custody for her own safety. It chills my blood to think what they may have done to her had they found out that girl spoke to LE. *shakes head* Sadly, shady and sus snit can happen when You are a child with no one there to advocate for you or consider your safety. Can You imagine what that girl had to mentally & emotionally live with for those weeks? Alone with what she knew were Murders! How much fear and anxiety and who knows what else rolling through her Head & heart? LE Officers she spoke to I’m Looking at YOU! I truly hope that she is now in a safe and loving environment! And that there is a court order in place that will shield her from either her mother or sister contacting her in the future. A future that I hope is now much brighter and more positive that she is away from both killers. As far as Martre, my dude, my heart goes out to You, my Fellow Springer! I wish You had the chance to chase and fulfill Your dreams! May You Rest In Peace, with Our other Passed Alumni who unfortunately met untimely ends…Tonia, Scott, and now Martre, You each will always be in my Heart, Memories, and Prayers…See You each again and/or meet You someday in the future…

His girlfriend must be devastated with grief. They seemed to be genuinely in love and we're a beautiful couple. How hard for her to know she dropped him off just to be murdered.

I was hoping to hear this story from you. Martre deserved so much better, he was trying so hard to leave his stepmother should've just let him. The poor boy.

i didn’t recognize this case at first but when you mentioned he was an artist, beloved mother died, new (quick) mom he was kinda close to, and the BATSHIT CRAZY little sister . and god damn this story is SO SAD and SO WILD. def your type of story for sure.

What a sad story. I feel so bad for him, he was suffering from their nasty abuse and wanted to leave. So painful.

This story just crushed me. Maybe it's because I'm in the process of applying to art schools myself, but I can only imagine the joy Martre felt at being "recruited" by Full Sail. What a sweet kid. Seeing his art broke my heart. What a stupid senseless crime. Someone needs to look into his dad.

This poor kid deserved a hell of a lot more grace and love than he received. Just a terrible, sad ending for someone who just wanted to do something that he loved.

Poor Martre. This case breaks my heart.

He was so talented and his personal art style was super-cool and very unique! It’s sad that we won’t get to see his artwork grow and develop more.😢 Such a shame.

I have watched-I think-every chapter of That Chapter. I’m a serious fan. *This* story, of Martre Coles, is one of the most evil and senseless cases Mike has covered. I’m f*^%ing STUNNED by the heartless selfishness of that woman!

This is absolutely evil. One of the worst cases I've ever heard. Senseless, unnecessary and cruel. Pure evil.

You can't help but feel so sorry for this lovely young man. To be tricked and murdered by the people you should be able to trust. Good for that little girl to tell.

So tragic for this promising young man. The only comfort I have in this story is Martre is reunited with his mother in heaven and I hope he's pursuing his love of art in his next life. As for Elena, truly brave of her for speaking up about what she witnessed. At least she's not heartless and evil like her mother and sister. Hope she'll be alright after the trauma she had to deal with from her own family.

I found his artwork very promising. Art isn’t a big interest of mine, but the pieces shown impressed me. What an cruel and selfish kill!

What a horrible, senseless crime to a young man just trying to get out and start his own life. Just makes no sense why anyone especially the ones who killed him just why just pure evil. Love the video as always and 💕 you to Mike.

How can people be so callous and brutal and full of hate it’s sickening

In the US we tell kids they MUST go to college. But we don’t have online literacy education, so there are kids who are so desperate that they wouldn’t realize that an email without the school’s domain is fake.

Bless this poor young man. This world can be a horrible place. I hope he's now back with his beloved mother. Rest in peace x

No university contacts people out of the blue and asks them to bring their portfolio along, let alone comps them for a hotel. Poor kid was too young and too poor to know that there are no such procedures. Any teacher could immediately have told him the email was bogus - but who did he turn to for advice? Who does a good kid turn to for advice? The parent figures.

Now that's one hell of a cold hearted act... someone said it right, "Evil knows no bounds". RIP young man!

Hatred fully fed this evil woman's life and need to feel important. Such a sad story for a bright young man!

This hits home 😭 my 18 yr old son wanted to be an artist like me, he was murdered by 5 boys aged 15-21. They are all walking free now, only two yrs house arrest (the oldest killed by US border agents when he tried to cross from Canada into the states) such a useless waste of potential and life 🤬

I have experienced this kind of hatred. Shortly after my father married his second wife, he got full custody of my brother and I from our mother. The minute we entered "her" house, she wanted us gone. She wanted a life with only my father and her two children. We were cut out of family photos. She tortured us on a daily basis. When our dad found out about some of what she was doing to us and him, he kicked her and her children out of HIS house. So, I feel like I got lucky because her daughter was several years younger than me and I had my older brother with me. She had come really close to killing us several times and I couldn't imagine having her and someone else in the house at the same time. That poor boy didn't have a chance.

I agree, that email has multiple red flags. Another odd sentence in it that Mike skipped says: “If you can can you email me you email me your essay” Poor guy. I wish his sister would’ve seen it before he left 😞

Normal people can't fathom such actions. His family failed him that's horrible on so many level. I have never heard of this story. Thank you for bringing attention to this young man betrayal.

This was so heartbreaking. I still don't get why his father seemed so unconcerned. I fully expected to learn that he knew of or even planted the idea of getting rid of Martre, but it doesn't appear that he did, which would have explained the lack of concern. So, that just makes him a piece of crap parent.

The icing on the cake: there is no discretionary parole in Virginia for felonies. The inmates must serve the majority of their sentence with only a small amount allowed for good behavior. They're not getting out anytime soon.

He was killed because she was jealous of a deceased woman?! That's the most heartless and vile reasoning imaginable. Poor Martre. He was a kind soul that met pure evil.

He looked like a sweet soul. People can be so damn cruel.

Mike this story hit me so hard, I have a cousin like Martre, I would be soo devastated!! Such a sweet boy put in the worst circumstances, all he wanted was to be loved!!

Wow... imagine being the epitome of an evil stepmother and evil stepsister. Sickening to think the murdered him just so Denise could try to stay in a failed relationship. It's also pretty surprising that Denise's daughter who never really liked Martre was the one who helped by reporting his murder.

the fact that a 12-year old girl was stabbing someone with scissors was a total red flag about the mothers behaviour. what kind of things was she teaching her daughter/how was she treating her to make her act this way?

Long time listener and fan of ur videos. Keep up the awesome work brotha and I’ll keep enjoying ‘em . Take care and god bless you and yours.

Man this one hurt me more than the others. This dude had a dream and he was teased to get it, then set up by his step family. I couldn't imagine the pain this poor guy had to go thru, art was his outlet and he was gonna use that to make it out, something not much are able to

your narrative is exceptional and unique Mike... keep it coming... well done

I'm praying for the young lady who spoke up. And I understand the cops would want to make sure she isn't lying but right off the bat he's asking if she is lying. That's awful. It's really sad the young man lost his mom, then lost his life to a stupid jealous evil woman. And the dad. What is his deal?

What a brave, courageous 12 year old girl to speak up against her family. May she have a good life. Martre enjoy the beautiful art in heaven, RIP sweet boy.

What a despicable and evil duo. Martre was a talented young man who just really wanted to strike out on his own. He missed his mom. Huge kudos to the young lady who had the courage to speak out about what her mom and sis had done. That took so much bravery. RIP Martre.