Body with tattoo found in Las Vegas desert

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001 | 12:33 p.m.

Police were hoping descriptions of a tattoo and a silver belt buckle would help identify a man whose body was found in the desert near Henderson.

"At this point, we don't know who he is or where he came from," Las Vegas police Lt. Wayne Petersen said Wednesday of the dead man, whose left shoulder bore a tattoo of a fairy on a quarter moon.

Petersen said it appeared the man was killed on New Year's Day or Tuesday where he was found. He had been struck more than once in the head with a blunt object.

The body, dressed in black clothing, was found about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday by a passer-by, Petersen said. Rocks and a metal bar were found nearby.

Police believed the man was in his 20s or 30s. He was wearing a black sweater, black pants, a black belt with a silver buckle and black shoes.

An autopsy was scheduled Wednesday. Peterson said.

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