During President Trump's address to the nation, centered around the need to build a steel barrier along the U.S border with Mexico, he referenced a Georgia man who was allegedly killed by an immigrant in Clayton County.
That man was 77-year-old Robert Page who was reported missing Nov. 8, 2018.
Last year, Clayton County Police said a trail of blood led them from Page's home into the backyard of the home next door -- where they discovered dismembered parts of Page's body under a tarp.
After finding more body parts inside a cooler, officials found 25-year-old Christian Ponce Martinez hiding under a couch in his home. He was Page's neighbor.
Martinez, who moved from Mexico three months prior to Page's death, was later charged with murdering Page. Martinez' status in the United States has not been released, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials confirm the federal agency has a hold on Martinez but said he is not in the agency's custody.
The family told 11Alive they are still healing from the gruesome killing and had no idea President Trump was going to mention it during his address to the nation.
"We are trying our best to get through this horrible family tragedy,” said Asher Sanchez, grandson of Page. "We have no political comment."
Sanchez said he wasn't aware of any calls from the White House, and they weren't given a heads up that Trump would mention it. He said the family is refraining from additional comments and aren't allowed to talk about the status of the criminal case against Martinez.
Trump mentioned the case to convince people why he believed a wall was needed. Trump said it would prevent violent criminals from entering the country illegally and committing crimes against U.S. citizens.
"Day after day, precious lives are cut short by those who have violated our borders," the President said. "In Georgia, an illegal alien was recently charged with murder for killing, beheading and dismembering his neighbor."