Brett Gitchel the suspect in the death of Leticia Martinez-Cosman, was formally charged with second-degree murder today. He is pleading not guilty.

He was also previously charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of her adult son. She was the care giver to her son who has special needs.

Court documents state, "Within a three days period, Brett Gitchel was the last person to be seen with Leticia Martinez-Cosman. Brett Gitchel would drive Leticia's vehicle to a remote area outside Seattle for a short period of time the next day, kidnap and attempt to kill her son and burn Leticia's vehicle."

The King County Medical Examiner's Office said she died of asphyxia due to strangulation and ruled her death a homicide.

Prosecutors allege that Gitchel came into contact with Martinez' son in the early morning hours of April 2 as he was burglarizing their home. Her son woke up to the sound of someone knocking on his bedroom door. He did not recognize the man, but thought he may have been a neighbor. The man told him that his mother had been hurt in a fall and that he could take him to the hospital to see her.

During the car ride, the suspect parked the vehicle and tried to put a bag over Martinez' son's head in an effort to choke him. The suspect then used his forearm, still attempting to asphyxiate him when that didn't work.

Her son fought back and bit his assailant before escaping and hiding in the woods.

Court documents allege that Gitchel was that person. He had wounds on his hands that look to be scabbed or bite marks. it is not known if a warrant has been issued for a DNA sample to make a determination of source.

Phone records cited in the court documents show that Gitchel was in the same area at the same time where Martinez's son had reported the attack.

That same day, close to 6:40 a.m., Martinez's Honda CRV was found burning on the side of the road near Lewis Park and north Beacon Hill.

Court documents say the fire appeared to have been "intentionally set ." 

According to the newly released court documents, Gitchel was seen on surveillance footage buying a red one-gallon portable gas container at a gas station on Beacon Ave. S.

Gitchel  also purchased a lighter and filled the container with fuel at the pump. 

He is next expected in court May 15.