Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Suit says lax security behind tenant’s murder

The daughter of an 84-year-old Las Vegas woman murdered in 1997 has sued the senior community where her mother lived, claiming it created a misleading impression of security.

Deborah Parks, daughter of Selma Adelman, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in state court against Villa Monterey Apartments, 1270 Burnham Ave.

Adelman was stabbed and strangled to death on July 26, 1997, in her apartment.

Police believe her assailants entered through an unlocked, ground-level sliding door after hopping the gate leading into the community.

Parks discovered her body several days later.

In her lawsuit, Parks claims that Villa Monterey failed to provide adequate security to its residents, and failed to warn residents of "third party persons ... who present serious risk of harm" near the complex. Seniors in the community relied on both implied and express promises of safety from the managers of the complex, the lawsuit said.

Parks also alleged that "criminals, vagrants and delinquents" repeatedly went on or near the premises, but that management failed to remove them or warn residents of their presence.

The defendant couldn't be reached for comment.

Robert Walker and Termaine Lytle were charged in the crime. The two men are awaiting trial on murder and kidnapping charges. The criminal trial is set to begin in August.

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