Murder suspect’s mother missing

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002 | 11:14 a.m.

The elderly mother of William Rundle -- a Las Vegas man suspected of murdering his wife -- hasn't been seen in five years, causing concern among the detectives who are still searching for the missing Rundle.

Metro Homicide Sgt. Rocky Alby said Willa Rundle hasn't been seen since 1997 and William Rundle has been telling relatives for years she is touring Europe.

According to police reports, when Willa Rundle was last seen, she was 82, using a walker and in ill health.

"I think it's real suspicious she is out of the country and no one has spoke to her or had contact with her in several years," Alby said.

Alby said Interpol and the FBI are attempting to see if any of the Rundles have used their passports in recent years.

"Unfortunately, it's easier to check if someone is coming out of a country than going into it," Alby said.

An arrest warrant charging William Rundle, 56, with murder in the death of his wife, Shirley, was issued Friday shortly after DNA tests revealed blood found on and underneath Shirley Rundle's favorite tan chair matched hers.

The Rundles were reported missing Aug. 21 by Shirley Rundle's daughter. Although a note was found on a garage door saying the couple had flown to the Philippines due to an emergency, no such emergency existed.

A search of the house revealed most of William Rundle's clothing and medicine gone, along with his laptop computer. Shirley Rundle's belongings appeared to be undisturbed.

Forensic experts have told police that blood spatter on the chair is consistent with someone being shot in the upper torso, police reports indicate. A .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver registered to William Rundle is missing from the home.

In addition, presumptive tests performed on a pair of men's black sandals found in the garage of the home tested positive for blood, police reports show.

The police reports, which were obtained by the Sun on Monday, also indicate peculiarities in regard to the Rundles' finances.

In addition to using a large percentage of his mother's monthly Social Security checks for paying bills, bank records reveal that William Rundle withdrew more than $18,000 in cash between July 26 and Aug. 17 -- the last day he and Shirley Rundle, 63, were seen.

"Unless he can give us a reasonable explanation to explain where the money was going, it sure does show premeditation," Alby said.

In investigating the disappearance of the Rundles, detectives spoke with three of William Rundle's former wives.

One of the women said Rundle told her he was a security expert when he was actually a cab driver. Another of the wives said Rundle married her using a false name and also lied about his occupation. The third woman said Rundle was abusive, gambled heavily and had a secret bank account.

"Nobody on Shirley's side of the family had any idea about any of that," Alby said.

Alby said authorities are still searching for the Rundles' 2001 Buick sedan with the custom Nevada license plate HONYBUN. Although one sighting placed the car on Interstate 15 heading toward San Diego, Alby said new information has them looking "in another direction."

"We have a lot of things we are currently doing that I can't talk about," Alby said.