Women pulled from blaze brutally slain

Monday, Aug. 30, 1999 | 10:40 a.m.

Two Las Vegas women pulled from a burning apartment Friday died brutal deaths before the fire started, according to a coroner's report released this morning.

Joyce Collins, 44, suffered multiple stabs to the chest and gunshots to the face and left shoulder, and her roommate, Elizabeth Alexander, 44, suffered a gunshot to the head.

Metro homicide detectives are investigating the two deaths.

The Clark County Fire Department responded to the Rivergate Village Apartments, 3940 Algonquin Drive, about 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Firefighters pulled the bodies of the two women from a smoke-filled apartment.

An unidentified man who was attempting to put out the fire was treated for smoke inhalation and left the scene before police arrived, fire officials said.

Anyone with information about the fire or the roommates is asked to call Secret Witness at 385-5555 or homicide detectives at 229-3521.

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