Las Vegan sought in wife’s death

Wednesday, April 7, 2004 | 10:58 a.m.

Metro Police were searching for a 5-year-old boy after finding the body of his 23-year-old Las Vegas mother in her northwest valley apartment Tuesday.

Officers believe the boy was taken by his father, Craig Bingaman, whom they allege also is responsible for the slaying.

About 2 p.m. a co-worker of Tiffany Bingaman called police, saying he was surprised and concerned that she had not come to work, Metro Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

Police checked the Bingamans' apartment in the 5300 block of Red Berry Street, but found the door locked and nothing amiss, Monahan said.

Hours later police received another call from a concerned co-worker, and about the same time Craig Bingaman phoned a detective in Metro's firearms detail, Monahan said.

Craig Bingaman told the detective that he thought he might have done something to his wife and that she might be hurt, Monahan said.

Homicide detectives arrived at the second-story apartment about 6 p.m. where they discovered the woman's body.

The couple's son, Donovan, was missing.

After checking with the families of the victim and the suspect, Monahan said, "We're looking desperately for Donovan."

Bingaman's family was not cooperating with police, Monahan said. Craig Bingaman had been arrested and convicted of several misdemeanors in the past, but there were no details of those past arrests Tuesday night, he said.

Police suspected that Bingaman left the apartment on foot.

"We know that he is desperate, so logically, I would consider him dangerous," Monahan said.

Police said Bingaman has a shaved head and several missing teeth.

Police did not reveal how Tiffany Bingaman died or if there was a weapon involved.

Her stepfather, Charles Swearingen, called Craig Bingaman a drug addict.

"I told her to leave him many times," Swearingen said. "I never did like him. He never worked. He never supported her."

But, Swearingen said, "never in my wildest dreams" had he thought harm would come to Tiffany.

He said he also "always believed Tiffany could take care of Donovan."

Swearingen said that his family would take the boy if and when he is found.

Several neighbors said Craig Bingaman used drugs and that Tiffany Bingaman had separated from him several times.

One neighbor, who asked that her name not be used, said Tiffany had "found heroin in the house and wanted a divorce."

"She was going to plan my wedding later this year," the neighbor said. "She was a designer."