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After 7 years, Angelo Mantych, 41, now faces charges of first-degree murder for the 2016 death of his wife, Marina Placensia, 28. The Amtrak murder case took place aboard an Amtrak train enroute to Colorado. 

The investigation lasted for years. In September 2023, Dr. Bill Smock, an expert in strangulation and suffocation, issued a report. Smock believes that Placensia died of suffocation by pressure to her nose and mouth during an assault.

Mantych was arrested in November 2023.

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Amtrak Murder Case Mystery

According to the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Mantych and Marino were traveling with their four children.

Mantech would later tell the police the family was moving to Denver from their home in Racine, Wisconsin and had taken a break from the trip in Chicago, where they roamed around and ate.

What seemed to be a routine family trip became a tragedy on September 1 when Marina was found "unresponsive" on the train.

The D.A.’s affidavit claimed that before the train arrived in Denver Mantych notified authorities of his wife’s condition.

When officers arrived, they found him visibly distraught and crying on the platform. A Dr. declared her dead at the scene.

The Dr. who declared her dead at the scene noted she had injuries and bruising on her face and mouth. A "large number" of injuries and bruises, on her abdomen, and legs, were discovered in the autopsy with 35 injuries on Placensia’s person.

 Most of the injuries were not an “obvious” cause of death. But they did indicate that she had been assaulted. Potential foul play was always suspected, but the cause of death was originally listed as inconclusive.

Expert Opinions and Abuse Allegations

As the investigation progressed, a troubling pattern emerged.

 Friends and family of Marina Placensia claimed Mantych had a history of abusing her. Allegations included verbal abuse, physical assaults such as punching, and coercive behaviors, such as forcing Placensia to move furniture without assistance. 

The affidavit detailed instances where Mantych physically stopped Placensia's attempts to leave the abusive situation. And made it difficult for her to seek help. 

Everyone who knew the couple claimed they had a troubled relationship marred by violence. Reports of threats towards those who supported Placensia further underscore the alleged abuse allegations.