The father of Victoria Martens' half-brother spoke out for the first time Friday about the girl's gruesome death.

Jason Oetting said he helped raise Victoria for a few years.

Now, the 10-year-old girl's death is allegedly at the hands of her own mother Michelle Martens and two others.

Attorney William E. Hoskovec released a statement about Victoria's death on Oetting's behalf:

"This tragedy has left my client in disbelief. He's cooperating with investigators in every way in this matter. He is and will do everything he can do to protect his son.

She's never been a monster, she got mixed up with the worst kind of people and that contributed to a downward spiral from what we can tell.

My client would also appreciate if his privacy could be respected.

Drug abuse and substance abuse had never been an issue, and Michelle seemed to be a normal person. The way the custody schedule was in place, Jason had their son on Tuesday night. It's by the grace of God he wasn't with Michelle that night."

Albuquerque police, however, have a very different description of Michelle Martens.

They say she seemed unremorseful when they questioned her about Victoria's death.

Investigators say the girl was drugged, sexually assaulted, murdered and then dismembered.