Woman sought in killing of husband

Jen Lawson

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002 | 9:53 a.m.

Metro Police are looking for a 56-year-old Laughlin woman suspected of stabbing her estranged husband to death in their home.

Officers assigned to Metro's Laughlin substation found the body of 66-year-old Gino Modelfino, a retired electrician, Sunday night at 3131 Cottonwood Drive. They are searching for his wife, Margaret Joyce Modelfino.

Homicide Sgt. Rocky Alby said concerned neighbors called police Sunday because they hadn't seen Gino Modelfino for several days.

Officers found Gino Modelfino's dead body, which was bloody, in the house, but Alby said it didn't immediately appear he was the victim of a homicide.

"A lot of times, there's blood at death," Alby said.

Margaret Modelfino was there and officers left her at the house, he said.

Gino Modelfino's body was taken to the Clark County coroner's office. While the autopsy results were pending, detectives returned to the house and searched it for evidence.

The autopsy was completed Tuesday morning. It showed Modelfino suffered a single stab wound that had not been visible by officers at the scene, Alby said.

Detectives believe Margaret Modelfino might have killed her husband. As of Tuesday detectives haven't been able to find her.

The Modelfinos were living separately, but married. Margaret Modelfino lived a short distance from Gino. Detectives found Margaret Modelfino's vehicle Tuesday night at the house where she was staying, and Gino Modelfino's vehicle was in his garage.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Metro's homicide section at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555. A reward of up to $1,000 is available.