Des Moines, IA — The Des Moines community is reeling after 33‑year‑old Martasha Jordane Paris McKenzie was found dead inside her southside apartment on the evening of March 24, 2026. What began as a worried family member’s welfare check at the Flats on 5th apartments quickly turned into a heartbreaking scene that has left friends, relatives, and neighbors searching for answers.
Around 8 p.m., officers from the Des Moines Police Department were called to the 7100 block of Southeast 5th Street by a family member who hadn’t heard from his adult daughter and feared she might be in trouble with her boyfriend. When police arrived, what they encountered in the hallways was chaos and danger.
Officers confronted a 33‑year‑old man armed with a knife. According to authorities, the man first tried to attack the father who had made the call and then turned on an officer, charging toward them with the weapon. Fearing for their lives, police fired their weapons, killing the man on the spot. As the welfare check continued, officers made a grim discovery inside McKenzie’s apartment unit — she was unresponsive and later pronounced dead.
Martasha McKenzie’s death has left a void in the community. Those who knew her speak of her warmth, her presence, and the love she shared with family and friends. Her loss is felt deeply, especially by loved ones who now face the painful task of planning her funeral and honoring her memory without her.
Local authorities have been tight‑lipped about the full circumstances of her death, saying the investigation is ongoing. The man shot by police has not been publicly identified, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave as standard procedure in such cases. No immediate danger to the wider public has been reported.
In the days since, neighbors have reflected on the shock of sirens and police activity where they once only heard laughter and conversation. Many describe McKenzie as someone who was always ready to share a smile, someone rooted in the simple joys of friendship and family gatherings.
McKenzie’s family has asked for privacy as they grieve. They have encouraged anyone who wishes to honor her memory to reach out with compassion and support for those closest to her during this extremely difficult time.
Southside Des Moines mourns a vibrant life cut short, and the heartache of a family left with questions that may not be answered soon.
