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. Unbeknownst to Ford and Crutchley, the Sifrits had a thirst for blood and wanted to kill for the thrill.
At some point while they were hanging out, 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 dismembered and disposed of in a dumpster in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, about 28 miles away from where the murder happened.
The families of Ford and Crutchley reported them missing, but authorities didn’t have any solid leads.
Meanwhile, the Sifrits went on with their lives as if nothing had happened. They may have gotten away with their crimes if they hadn’t kept the victim’s ID’s as trophies.
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 came clean during her 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 by a jury of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in Crutchley’s murder, but he was acquitted of Ford’s murder. According to WBOC, the sentencing judge thought the jury should have convicted him of first-degree murder instead of second degree murder.
Benjamin got 38 years in prison for his crimes.
Erika was convicted of first-degree murder in Ford’s death and second-degree murder in Crutchley’s death. She 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. The act, which was signed into law in April 2025, 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. Benjamin was 24 at the time of the crime.
According to the ACLU, the person applying for a reduced sentence must show that they have been rehabilitated and can safely reenter society.
The WBOC reported that in his petition, he claimed to have grown as a person since. He also blamed his commitment to Erika for his involvement in the crimes, while insisting his role was limited.
His petition will be reviewed at a hearing August, 11th, 2026. He is hoping to be resentenced to time served and get an immediate release.
The prosecutors responded to the petition with evidence, court transcripts, and photographs to demonstrate the severity of what Benjamin did. The prosecution wants him to stay behind bars until his 2030 release date. At that point he would be 52 years old with a lot of life left to live.
Erika had her first parole hearing on April 6th, 2026, but it was not granted. She will have another hearing in 2033 when she is 55.
DOB:
October 21, 1977Conviction(s):
- Second-degree murder
- First-degree assult
- Accessory after the fact
Accomplice(s):
Date of crime:
May 25, 2002Location(s):
Ocean City, MDDate of arrest:
May 31th, 2002Details:
Killed a woman who was on vacation with her boyfriend.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Martha Crutchley (51)
Suspected Victim(s):
- Joshua Ford (32)
Method:
ShootingMotive(s):
FunSentence:
38 yearsCurrent whereabouts:
Maryland Correctional Training Center in Washington County, MDSources:
N/ALast Updated on 09/14/2026
