At a Glance
- James Fuller Martin, 47, admitted to stabbing his wife Amber Nicole Martin, 41, in their Coralville, Iowa home on January 16
- Criminal complaint states he planned the attack and used a kitchen knife to surprise Amber as she exited a room around 6:40 a.m.
- Amber, a University of Iowa Health Care microbiology lab supervisor, was pronounced dead at the scene
- Why it matters: The case highlights how domestic violence can escalate behind closed doors, even when couples appear happy to coworkers
An Iowa husband has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly confessing to the premeditated stabbing death of his wife, a respected medical laboratory scientist.
The Attack
Coralville Police responded to a stabbing report early Friday, January 16. When officers arrived at the couple’s home, they found Amber Nicole Martin with multiple stab wounds. Despite administering medical aid, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the criminal complaint filed with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, James Fuller Martin admitted to stabbing his wife in their home. The complaint alleges he had “malice aforethought, willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation kill the victim.”
The attack occurred around 6:40 a.m., when James allegedly retrieved a kitchen knife and surprised Amber as she exited another room. He was taken into custody at the scene.
Victim Identified
On Monday, January 19, the Coralville Police Department identified 41-year-old Amber Nicole Martin as the victim. She worked as a medical laboratory scientist supervisor of microbiology at the University of Iowa Health Care.
Connie Floerchinger, Amber’s supervisor, described her as “a very good leader” who “fit into our team very quickly.” She told News Of Los Angeles exclusively that the technologists “all thought very highly of her.”
“Amber expressed on multiple occasions how much she loved her job, the team and the lab,” Floerchinger said. During the week of Amber’s death, the two had discussed succession planning.
“I told her that I could see her taking my position when I retired,” Floerchinger recalled. “She walked to my doorway and I looked back at my computer. She turned around and said my name and when I looked up she gave me the hand heart sign. That was Amber in a nutshell.”
Previous Employment
Both Amber and James previously worked at Quincy Medical Group. Amber served as the Microbiology Coordinator, while James worked as the Hematology Coordinator.
Ann Ostermiller, a Quincy Medical Group employee, told Muddy River News that the couple worked at the company together.
“Amber was such a wonderful woman. She was vivacious, kind, and loved by all her coworkers,” Ostermiller said. “Jim was quieter and more reserved.”
Ostermiller expressed shock at the murder, saying it was “beyond the comprehension of those that knew them when they worked at QMG.”
“They seemed to be such a close and loving couple,” she continued. “I cannot imagine what transpired to change their relationship so much.”
The Charges
James Fuller Martin, 47, faces first-degree murder charges. The criminal complaint states that “in the hours leading up to the defendant killing the victim, the defendant formulated a plan to kill the victim.”
The charge of murder in the first degree indicates prosecutors believe the killing was premeditated and deliberate.
Investigation Status
An investigation into Amber’s death is currently underway. News Of Los Angeles reached out to the Coralville Police Department, University of Iowa Health Care, and Quincy Medical Group for comment.
Key Takeaways
- The attack appears to have been planned in advance, with James allegedly formulating his plan hours before the murder
- Amber was a respected professional in the medical laboratory field with colleagues who spoke highly of her leadership abilities
- The couple’s previous coworkers expressed shock at the violence, describing them as appearing to be a close and loving couple
- James was arrested at the scene and remains in custody facing first-degree murder charges
