Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Slaying at Spanish Trail stuns relatives, residents

Harold Henry Seeman had lived a frugal life as a music teacher in Long Beach, Calif., until he inherited some land and retired to Las Vegas.

He bought a $500,000 home in Spring Valley's upscale Spanish Trail neighborhood in February 2002. Although he lived alone with just his tiny white Maltese dog, Ali Baba, he believed he would be secure behind the golf course community's guarded gates, his family said.

Relatives and neighbors were stunned when Seeman, 70, was found slain Sunday inside his 3,700-square-foot home on Congressional Court.

An autopsy determined that Seeman had been strangled, the Clark County coroner's office said Thursday.

Seeman's relatives were "horrified" to learn that he had been killed.

It already was bad enough news when a security guard went to Seeman's home at their request to check on him and discovered his body, Beverly Seeman of Jonesboro, Ark., said. She is married to Harold Seeman's oldest son, Mickey.

They were to bury Harold Seeman today in Arkansas. His mourners and his former neighbors in Las Vegas are anxiously waiting for police to catch whoever strangled him.

"It was a gated community," Beverly Seeman said. "We thought it would be safe."

He had lived frugally until he retired, she said. By that point he had inherited some farm land in Arkansas, which allowed him to buy his Spanish Trail house and travel. He was fond of Mexico, and had also jetted off to India, Egypt and Europe.

Most of all, however, Seeman had a passion for teaching and he placed a high value on education, his daughter-in-law said. He helped at least two underprivileged people go to college by paying their tuition, she said.

He played a number of instruments, including the trumpet, piano and trombone, and he spent his time composing and listening to music.

A neighbor who didn't want her name used said Seeman kept to himself. She said she often saw him walking tiny Ali Baba and he "loved that dog like it was his baby."

Mickey Seeman spoke to his father nearly every day, Beverly Seeman said. The last time was on Sept. 25.

"On Saturday, we were not able to reach him," she said. "When he was not at home at nine o'clock Las Vegas time, we knew something was a little bit strange."

Around noon on Sunday, Mickey Seeman spoke to a Spanish Trail security officer and asked him to check on his father. Officers went inside the home and found his body.

Lt. Tom Monahan of Metro's homicide unit said a small fire was set near Seeman's body in a possible attempt to destroy evidence. He declined to say whether there was any sign of forced entry.

A neighbor who asked to remain anonymous said the slaying has her worried about the safety of her neighborhood.

"We're concerned about leaving our garage door open," she said. She noted that Seeman didn't have many visitors, but had people who took care of his pool and lawn. In order to gain access to Spanish Trail, visitors must be cleared by a guard at the security gate.

Beverly Seeman hinted that her father-in-law's killing was not a random act.

"The police know," Beverly Seeman said. "I don't feel comfortable saying anything more than that."

Seeman's dog is now living with Beverly and Mickey Seeman. Seeman is survived by four children, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

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