Rick Sobey
Boston Herald
The devastated twin of the 23-year-old U.S. Marine veteran fatally stabbed outside a Boston bar last weekend says his brother was a “fun-loving dude” who was excited for business school and “so many plans” ahead.
All of the vet’s dreams were shattered over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday when a bouncer allegedly murdered Daniel Martinez, who hailed from the Chicago area and was visiting friends in Boston.
“He was just a really free spirit, a fun-loving dude who loved to bring everyone together,” Daniel’s twin brother, Matthew, told the Herald on Wednesday, a few days after he lost his sibling.
“He always wanted to bring people together and wanted everyone to have a fun time,” Matthew added.
Daniel was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day weekend in downtown Boston with a buddy from the Marines. Daniel and his friend went to the Sons of Boston pub on Union Street Saturday night, spending time inside the bar without incident. They then left and apparently got back in line to return to the bar.
While standing in line, Daniel and the bouncer — Alvaro Larrama, a 39-year-old East Boston man — appeared to get into a confrontation, according to video obtained by police. Daniel then began walking away, and Larrama allegedly chased after him. The bouncer is accused of then attacking Daniel and stabbing him to death.
“I was in shock,” Matthew said after getting the phone call on Saturday night from his mother about Daniel.
Larrama, a father of four, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He is being held without bail.
“I’m just going to let the justice system handle it, and go from there,” Matthew said.
“He (Larrama) made his decision, and that’s what he’s going to have to live with,” he added.
The Martinez brothers were planning on buying a house together in the Chicago area, and their final conversation before Daniel traveled to Boston was about a few houses their real estate agent had found.
“This was going to be his last trip before we were going to lock in plans with the house,” Matthew said. “We wanted a big house to bring over buddies and bring over family to have cookouts this summer.
“We had so many plans,” his twin added. “We were really close and always had each other’s back.”
Daniel was getting excited to attend business school at the University of Illinois Chicago, Matthew said.
The sergeant finished his active duty last year. His awards included the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
After four years serving in the Marines — spending time in Hawaii, Guam and Oman in the Middle East — Daniel had been traveling across the country since August, visiting buddies from the Marines.
“He loved the brotherhood,” Matthew said. “The people he met meant the most to him. They meant everything. Even through the hard times, it was all worth it in the end for him.”
The twin brother is trying to focus on finishing the plans that Daniel started.
“By traveling for him, and getting this house that he wanted,” Matthew said. “As a family, we need to be strong. That’s what he would want for us: to live strong, happy lives, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
A memorial service has been pushed back to April, so all of his Marine brothers are able to travel to Chicago and say their proper goodbyes, Matthew said.
The twin brother added, “We want everyone to be a part of that.”
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