CORALVILLE, Iowa — Authorities have identified Amber Nicole Martin, 41, as the victim of a deadly stabbing early Friday morning in Coralville. Iowa law enforcement officials confirmed that Martin’s husband, James Fuller Martin, 47, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death. The violent incident has stunned both the local community and colleagues across multiple states.

According to Coralville police, officers were dispatched to a residence shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 following a report of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found a female victim suffering from stab wounds. Police immediately began rendering medical aid, but despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a media release from the department.

Investigators later identified the victim as Amber Martin, a highly respected medical professional. She was serving as a Medical Laboratory Scientist Supervisor of Microbiology at the University of Iowa Health Care. Before moving to Iowa, Martin worked as the Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist in Microbiology at Quincy Medical Group (QMG). Authorities said her husband, James Martin, was taken into custody and later charged with murder in the first degree. No further details about a possible motive have been released.

The news of Martin’s death has deeply affected former coworkers in Quincy, Illinois, where both Amber and Jim previously worked. Ann Ostermiller, a former colleague, said both were employed at the QMG Laboratory, with Jim serving as the Hematology Coordinator and Amber as the Microbiology Coordinator. Ostermiller said she trained Amber when she first entered the role and described her as a vibrant and compassionate professional.

“Amber was such a wonderful woman,” Ostermiller said. “She was vivacious, kind, and loved by all her coworkers.” She described Jim as quiet and reserved, adding that the tragedy is difficult for colleagues to comprehend. “They seemed to be such a close and loving couple. I cannot imagine what transpired to change their relationship so much.”

Amber Martin was originally from Bowling Green, Missouri, and began working in Iowa in August 2025. She was 41 years old. As of the latest update, James Fuller Martin remains in custody at the Johnson County Jail. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional information as the case moves through the legal process.