Australian Police Probe Death of Veteran Performer, Escort

MELBOURNE, Australia—Australia's leading newspapers have all published lengthy articles on the death and life of Jazzy O, a grandmother of 65 who for years worked as an erotic entertainer and escort in Melbourne, and whose body was found Tuesday afternoon, wrapped in a blanket and dumped by the side of the road, her 2010 Mercedes with her beloved Jack Russell terrier Suzie inside it abandoned four kilometers away. Police are investigating, an autopsy was inconclusive and no one knows if she was murdered or the victim of a tragic accident that someone tried to cover up.  According to the Sydney Morning Herald, "Ms Martin was captured on CCTV footage driving out of her Southbank apartment just before 10 a.m. on Tuesday with her pet Jack Russell terrier. Five hours later her body was found wrapped in a blanket and dumped in bushes near a bus stop on Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne." "Homicide squad detectives are investigating whether Ms Martin, who was also known as 'Honie,' was murdered by a client," reported The Australian. "Detective Inspector John Potter said her death could have been deliberate or misadventure and could 'certainly' have been sex play gone wrong." According to The Age, "Jazzy O, real name Johanna Martin, was a wealthy widow from Southbank. She did not drink or do drugs, she invested her money wisely and is believed to have owned considerable property." The site described Jazzy O as a "legend" in the industry. "Ms. Martin was well liked, had a sense of humor but was 'really out there and could be extreme,' say detectives, who are looking closely at the 'extreme' part of the industry in which she was involved." Maxine Fensom, a veteran of Australia's adult entertainment industry, who had booked her to perform at her gentlemen's club last night, told The Age that Jazzy O was the oldest person she knew still plying her trade both on and off the stage. "She was always wanted for escort and bucks parties. She loved her work and she was well paid for it," said Fensom, adding, "She was extreme in what she did, but she was also a loveable woman ... She will be missed." Jazzy O's children are grown, the paper reported; her husband passed away a few years ago. None of the papers mentioned whether a memorial service for Jazzy O has been scheduled.