Autopsy awaited in woman’s death after domestic dispute

Karen Zekan

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1998 | 11:27 a.m.

Authorities are awaiting autopsy results to determine what caused a Henderson woman to die hours after a heated argument with her husband.

Gilbert Sanchez, 62, who is charged with murder, told police when he called about 9:45 a.m. Monday to report his wife's death that the two had been fighting the night before and that she seemed OK when he left her in a bedroom, said Henderson Police Capt. Richard Perkins.

Sanchez apparently spent the night in another room and claimed to have discovered his wife dead on the bedroom floor when he awoke. Details of the argument were not immediately known.

"It looks like she suffocated, but there are some unexplained marks on her that the coroner will be checking out," Perkins said. "It's unknown if its strangulation, asphyxiation or some other type of trauma."

Two cars bearing Californian license plates were parked outside the couple's home in the 200 block of Spring Palms Street, near Lake Mead and Valle Verde drives. Perkins said investigators are checking with California authorities for background on the vehicles' owners.

The home is one of only a few completed residences in the development still under construction. Perkins said the interior of the home appeared to be in order, and that there was no apparent signs of a struggle.

Sanchez was booked into Henderson Jail on a single count of murder. Perkins said the man was visibly upset and cooperating with detectives.

Authorities tentatively identified the woman as in her late 50s or early 60s. Her name has been withheld until relatives are notified.

The woman's death marked the third homicide in Henderson's jurisdiction this year, and the first apparent domestic related death.