PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — What began as a death investigation at a West Palm Beach home has quickly turned into a first-degree murder case. Deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office first arrived at the 2800 block of Ashley Drive West on Thursday, December 26, to investigate the death of Patricia Blake. Because her primary doctor lived out of state, the case was handed over to the local Medical Examiner for a standard autopsy to determine exactly what happened.
The investigation took a dark turn once the Medical Examiner’s Office completed its review. Officials say the autopsy revealed multiple findings that were inconsistent with a natural death, leading the medical examiner to officially rule the case a homicide. This discovery immediately triggered a response from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Division, which sent detectives to the scene to execute a search warrant at the residence.
Following a series of interviews and a search of the property, investigators focused their attention on Martha Jo Blake. According to the Sheriff’s Office, detectives determined that she was involved in the death of Patricia Blake. While authorities have not yet released details regarding the relationship between the two women or the specific circumstances of the crime, the evidence collected was sufficient to lead to an immediate arrest.
Martha Jo Blake was taken into custody and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail early Saturday morning. Booking records show she was processed just after midnight on December 27 and is currently being held without bond. She faces a single, serious charge of first-degree premeditated murder.
