Police: Death of woman in burned apartment a homicide

By Tim Richardson

Published Tuesday, July 7, 2009 | 8:40 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, July 7, 2009 | 5:15 p.m.

Metro Police are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in a burned apartment Tuesday as a homicide, saying she died from a stabbing.

Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison said firefighters responded at 5:15 a.m. to the fire at 5701 Missouri Ave., which is near Boulder Highway between Tropicana Avenue and Russell Road. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the windows of an apartment in Building 22.

After the fire was extinguished, the body of a Hispanic woman was found inside and Metro Police were called to begin an investigation, Allison said.

Metro Police spokesman Bill Cassell said the woman died as the result of a stab wound. Investigators have no motive or suspects in the case, police said.

The woman's identity will be released by the Clark County Coroner's Office.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the Metro Police Homicide Section at 828-3521.

The fire was contained to one unit and no one else was injured. Allison said the apartment unit is older and each unit is separated by a firewall.

Allison said a maintenance worker at the apartment complex told investigators the woman has two children.