Robert and Desirae Strauss may have killed 52-year-old Brian Martin because he insisted on a paternity test to see if he was the father of twins born to Desirae in April, according to a report in the Toledo Blade.

Police in Toledo, where Martin is believed to have been bludgeoned to death on June 22 -- the last day he was seen or heard from -- have said Martin and Desirae Strauss had been in a relationship for around two years.



Robert and Desirae Strauss

Martin's cousin, Michele Smith of Cincinnati, told the Blade Desirae Strauss would not consent to the paternity test.

The Strausses' five children are in the care of others right now and the Lucas County Children Services is involved, according to the report.

According to court documents, the Strausses, both 36, bludgeoned 52-year-old Martin to death inside their home at 2140 Consaul Street in Toledo. Although Martin’s body has not been found, police say they have evidence and witness statements implicating the couple.

They were arrested at a park in Anderson, Indiana, on July 8 after police received a complaint they were dealing drugs out of a Cadillac that turned out to be Martin's.

Police believe Martin's body was dumped in the roughly 200-mile span between Toledo and Anderson and are urging property owners along Interstates 80/90, 75 and 69 to check barns and outbuildings.

A family friend on Tuesday began organizing searches via a Facebook page "Help find Brian Martin," which by Wednesday already had 545 likes and numerous posts about Martin and people stepping up to help.

The Ann Arbor News attempted to contact the woman behind the page about the search efforts, but did not immediately hear back.

In an email Tuesday, Kathy Barton, Martin's sister, said the organizer is a close family friend and that they are urging anyone who lives in Ohio along the route to Indiana to search their barns and outdoor sheds.

Barton said she is attempting to contract a private investigator to aid in the search, but has not done so yet.

Martin was the announcer at many Huron High School athletic events and was remembered by Barton as a caring, funny and generous person.

“He has been involved in the Ann Arbor community his whole life, specifically with sports,” Barton told The Ann Arbor News in a previous email.

She added, “We lost a great man, a great brother and friend.”

The Strausses remain jailed by the Madison County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Office and will be charged with murder if and when they are extradited to Ohio, which police said could happen within the week.

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to call the Toledo police at 419-245-3340 or Crime Stoppers of Ohio at 419-255-1111.

John Counts covers crime and breaking news for The Ann Arbor News. He can be reached at johncounts@mlive.com or you can follow him on Twitter. Find all Washtenaw County crime stories here.