Erick G. Salas and Timothy J. Martin were roommates in Liberal, Seward County, Kansas, United States. They were found dead on April 2, 2019.

Salas was 31 and Martin was 25. Salas’s body was found in a trailer at Seven Winds RV Park, which is west of Liberal, while Martin’s body was found in a ditch on a farmer’s property along U.S. Highway 54, which is just across the state line in Texas County, Oklahoma, USA. 

Just before 1:30 p.m. on January 10, 2022, Ralph Thomas Salas Jr., 30, of Liberal was arrested at 415 N. Washington in Liberal for the murders of Erick and Martin. Ralph and Erick were not related.

Ralph was booked into the Seward County Jail in Liberal. He is accused of participating in the robbery, kidnapping and shooting deaths of Erick and Martin and charged with aggravated burglary, two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, among others.

Founded and incorporated in 1888, Liberal is the county sear of Seward County. The city is home to the Seward County Community College, which was established on December 29, 1967.

Liberal is famous for its annual Pancake Day race. It is held in competition with the town of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom for the fastest time between both cities.