Mithovar Christopher Antoine Jr., a Texas man suspected in a 2021 cold case, was arrested last week for the deadly stabbing of Nikolas Martinez, 23, near his apartment complex in South Austin. Martinez was playing video games with his nephew when he took a break to do laundry and was stabbed. He managed to call 911 and drive himself to a nearby gas station for help but later succumbed to his injuries. Martinez’s parents had expressed frustration over the lack of information released about their son’s killer and urged anyone with information to come forward.
An anonymous tip received by Austin Police in June led to the arrest of Antoine Jr., who was seen stabbing Martinez near the South Austin apartment complex. Police also found evidence that the suspect had been searching for news articles related to stabbings in Austin shortly after Martinez’s death. Antoine Jr. was located in Temple, Texas, and arrested before being booked into the Bell County Jail. His bond was set at $150,000, and he was released on bond four days later without being extradited to Travis County.
Court documents revealed that Antoine Jr. had been arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle and burglary of a habitation in the two years leading up to Martinez’s murder. He had bonded out of jail just two months before the incident. Since he was out on probation, Bell County could revoke his probation and seek additional warrants for his arrest, potentially sending him back to jail. A grand jury in Travis County will still need to indict Antoine Jr. for Martinez’s murder.
The parents of Nikolas Martinez expressed their grief and frustration over not knowing who killed their son and why. They stated that while nothing will bring back their son or make things better, not knowing was difficult to cope with. Martinez’s father, Martin, mentioned that they believed the incident was a random act and urged anyone with information to come forward. The arrest of Antoine Jr. brought some closure, but the family will wait for the grand jury to indict him for their son’s murder.
Antoine Jr.’s previous criminal record raised concerns about his involvement in Martinez’s murder. Authorities will consider revoking his probation and seeking additional warrants for his arrest, which could result in him being placed back in jail. The suspect’s release on bond without extradition to Travis County highlighted potential gaps in the justice system that will need to be addressed. The community will wait for the outcome of the grand jury indictment to see justice served in the case of Nikolas Martinez’s murder.
The arrest of Mithovar Christopher Antoine Jr. brought new hope for justice in the cold case of Nikolas Martinez’s murder in July 2021. As the case progresses, the community will look to the grand jury to indict Antoine Jr. for the crime and hold him accountable for his actions. The grief and frustration felt by Martinez’s family will hopefully be alleviated by the progress in the case and the steps taken by law enforcement to ensure that justice is served. The tragic loss of Nikolas Martinez will not be forgotten, and his family and community will continue to seek closure and healing in the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.
