Ex a suspect in women’s death

Keith Paul

Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001 | 11:11 a.m.

Metro Police are investigating a 27-year-old Las Vegas woman's ex-lover who is suspected of hiring two men to break into her home and kill her.

The two suspected hit men charged with killing Tzatzi Sanchez in her home on Jan. 15 were arrested late Friday. Luis Barroso, 23, and Obed Marroquin, 26, both of Las Vegas, were booked into the Clark County jail on murder, sexual assault with a weapon, burglary, grand larceny auto and conspiracy charges, Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro's homicide unit said.

But police will submit information to a judge seeking a warrant against Sanchez's former female lover in connection with setting up the slaying.

"We're not sure of all of the details yet, but it looks like the crime was precipitated by the ex-lover," he said. "It appears motivated by jealousy, as the victim had a new partner."

The female ex-lover appears to have left town and may have made several offers to the suspected killers before a deal was reached, Petersen said.

Two men broke into Sanchez's home in the 5000 block of Hayward Avenue -- near Tropicana Avenue and Nellis Boulevard -- about 9:30 a.m. Jan. 15 through an open window.

Two male occupants of the home were tied up and left in a bedroom. Sanchez was bound, sexually assaulted, then strangled to death, police said.

The killers ransacked the house, stealing several items before leaving in Sanchez's Nissan Pathfinder. The sport utility vehicle was found the next day in the area of Craig Road and Interstate 15, police said.

The two male roommates were able to free themselves about an hour after the intruders tied them up. They found Sanchez dead.

Barroso was arrested at his work, and Marroquin was arrested at his home. Both were arrested without incident, police said.

Search warrants were served at both of the men's homes, and police say evidence related to the slaying was found. Police would not reveal what was found in the men's homes linking them to the killing.