A Texas fire marshal sergeant is being commended for his crucial role in uncovering the truth behind the murder of a four-year-old girl in the Texas Panhandle. His efforts led to the conviction of a man who attempted to mask his crime by setting fire to the scene.
The investigation into the tragic incident began in 2022 when the lifeless body of Hope Raley was discovered on a bed in the master bedroom of a burning home in Perryton, located approximately three hours north of Lubbock. State Fire Marshal’s Office Sgt. Kelly Vandygriff was dispatched to assist with the case.
“Any time there’s a loss of life, we make it a priority to be on the scene as quickly as possible,” Vandygriff stated. “We’re there to carefully process the scene, follow the evidence, and help bring clarity to what happened.”
After local officials extinguished the fire and located Raley’s body, authorities found Humberto Martinez, an occupant of the home, hiding in a crawlspace beneath the building. Martinez was identified as the last person seen with Raley prior to her death.
An autopsy, which Vandygriff attended, revealed that Raley had been strangled before the fire was ignited. Further investigation led by Vandygriff uncovered a lighter and flammable materials near the mattress where Raley’s body was found, linking Martinez to the arson.
Following his release from the hospital, where he received treatment for smoke inhalation, Martinez confessed to a Texas Ranger that he had strangled Raley. On March 4, 2026, he pleaded guilty to capital murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
