Domestic assault investigation leads to murder charge

The St. Charles Police investigation into a medical emergency call has resulted in second-degree murder charges being filed against Steven John Martineau 48, of the 400 block of Tower Grove in St. Charles.

The incident, which occurred on May 26, 2012, started as a call for police to assist EMS with an unresponsive female, Linda Cerutti. Cerutti never regained consciousness and died on June 10, 2012. The investigation revealed that Martineau and Cerutti who lived together were engaged in a verbal argument while intoxicated at their home on Tower Grove. During the argument Martineau allegedly assaulted Cerutti knocking her unconscious and causing the injuries that resulted in her death.

Investigators used inconsistencies in Martineau’s account of how Cerutti sustained her injuries as well as information from other sources to develop the case.

Martineau has been held since the incident in May on misdemeanor charges of assault in the third degree from a February incident involving Cerutti. Martineau was also being held on an outstate warrant from Michigan involving child support charges. He continues to be held in the St. Charles County Jail with a cash only bond of $50,000.

Anyone with additional information in reference to this incident or similar incidents is requested to contact the St. Charles Police Department at 949-3300 or can do so anonymously at 949-3333, via e mail at wwww.stcharlescrimestoppers.org, or text STCPD plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).