Last year, we wrote an article entitled, Murder, Shootings & Overdoses, What Went Wrong For Hi-Five, updating fans on what the group had been up to since their success in the 90’s.
What Went Wrong With Hi-Five?
In the article, we revealed that one of the members, Russell Neal, had been charged with the murder of his wife, 24 year-old Catherine “Brasilia” Martinez, in June 2014.
When Russell met his wife, who was 20 years younger than him, he gave her the impression that he was rich and popular. However, she quickly learned that he was quite the opposite. Because Russell was struggling financially, Martinez was forced to be the bread winner for Russell and her 2 sons.
Despite the fact that she held their marriage down, Russell was physically abusive to her causing her to cover up bruises with makeup.
Glenda Lewis, one of Catherine’s sisters, spoke to Crime Watch Daily about the abuse that her sister endured.
There were bruises and scratches and she would try to come to our house with makeup, and she would try and cover it up with makeup. You would see the foundation, everything trying to cover up her eyes, but we would tell,” said Glenda.
After leaving her mom’s house on June 28, 2014, Catherine Martinez was nowhere to be found. Then, her husband calmly walked in the the Houston Police Department on July 1st 2014 to let the police know that his wife needed medical attention because she was hurt.
Police officers discovered the body of Catherine with several stab wounds and blunt force trauma.
Sadly, the family of Catherine Martinez has yet to receive justice for her death as Neal is a patient at Rusk State Hospital. A judge believes that he is mentally ill and incompetent to stand trial. However, prosecutors refuse to give up.
Neal has been ordered to continue treatment and has another competency hearing in August 2017.
