Crime
Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley were on vacation in Ocean City, Maryland in May 2002 when they met Erika and Benjamin Sifrit at a nightclub.
After hanging out for a while, the two couples went back to the Sifrit’s condo. Erika and Benjamin had a thirst for blood and Erika pulled a firearm and falsely accused them of taking her purse. Ford and Crutchley denied it and tried to deescalate the situation. They were forced to strip down, and as things escalated, Ford was fatally shot. Crutchley was also killed.
Crutchley and Ford were cut up and disposed of in a dumpster in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Six days after the murder, the Sifrits were caught breaking into a Hooter’s restaurant. Inside Erika’s purse, police found Crutchley’s and Ford’s ID’s. Erika folded during interrogation, confessing to the murders, but pointing to her husband as the mastermind.
The victim’s bodies were recovered from a landfill three days after the Sifrits were arrested.
Legal Proceedings
Benjamin was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in Crutchley’s murder, but he was acquitted of Ford’s murder. He got 38 years.
Erika was convicted in both deaths and received life in prison plus 20 years.
The couple divorced in 2010.
Recent Updates
According to WBOC, Benjamin was denied parole in 2022. He is trying to get a reduced sentence under the Second Look Act, which allows people who committed crimes between the ages of 18 and 25 and have served at least 20 years to petition for a reduced sentence. His petition will be reviewed in August 2026.
If his petition is rejected, he will stay locked up until his 2030 release date.
Erika had her first parole hearing on April 6th, 2026, but it was not granted. She will have another hearing in 2033.
DOB:
February 3rd, 1978Conviction(s):
- First-degree murder
- Second-degree murder
Accomplice(s):
Date of crime:
May 25, 2002Location(s):
Ocean City, MDDate of arrest:
May 31th, 2002Details:
Killed a couple who was on vacation.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Joshua Ford (32)
- Martha Crutchley (51)
Method:
ShootingMotive(s):
FunSentence:
Life plus 20 yearsCurrent whereabouts:
Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, MDSources:
N/ALast Updated on 06/16/2026
