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Mark Douglas Franta was arrested Wednesday in the connection with the death of Marybeth Franta.
By Jackie Valley (contact) 
Published Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 | 8:47 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 | 9:15 p.m.
Marybeth Franta was a horse enthusiast and member of the the Nevada Horsemen's Association.
Location where body was found
Metro Police on Wednesday arrested the husband of a Las Vegas teacher whose body was found behind a grocery store this past weekend in the northwest valley.
Mark Douglas Franta was taken into custody at 4:55 p.m. and charged with murder in connection with the death of 49-year-old Marybeth Franta. Police said Mark Franta had reported his wife missing.
Franta was booked into Clark County Detention Center and is being held without bail.
The Clark County Coroner's Office on Wednesday said Marybeth Franta died of asphyxiation and ruled her death a homicide. Her body was found behind the Albertsons store at Tenaya Way and Craig Road.
Metro Police began asking for the public's help Tuesday in finding Marybeth Franta, who taught at Irwin and Susan Molasky Junior High School. Police said she left her home about 7 p.m. Saturday in the 4300 block of Cranbrook Circle, near Torrey Pines Drive and Harmon Avenue, and didn't return.
Police had said she was driving a gray 2002 Mazda Tribute sport utility vehicle, which police later recovered near a desert area along Craig Road west of U.S. 95.
Family and friends spent Wednesday trying to cope with her loss.
More than a year ago, a horse-riding accident left Marybeth Franta with a broken shoulder and several broken ribs. Despite the setback, she kept her characteristic positive outlook and returned to competition in February with her horse, Gabriel.
"It was a real thrill for her," said friend Charlene Peterson, who volunteered alongside Franta with the Nevada State Horsemen's Association. "Everyone was real encouraging."
Peterson said Franta had three loves: her two grown children, her junior high science students and horses.
And family members say Franta was on her way to take care of one of those loves — her horses — when she disappeared Saturday night.
"She was going to feed her horses like always," her cousin, Ronald McLaughlin, said a relative told him.
But it's unclear whether she ever made it there.
McLaughlin, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas, said Franta's large extended family is in shock — and hopes police quickly find the person or persons responsible for her death.
Franta, one of six children, moved around quite a bit as a child as the family followed her father's career in higher education, including his stint as an administrator at UNLV, McLaughlin said. Her father, Dale Nitzschke, left UNLV as provost in 1983 to assume the presidency of Marshall University in West Virginia.
To McLaughlin's knowledge, Franta has lived in Las Vegas since at least the mid-1980s.
Marybeth Franta is shown in this undated photo.
School officials said the district's Crisis Response Team was available for students and staff at Irwin and Susan Molasky Junior High School on Wednesday. Franta had worked for the Clark County School District since August 1993.
"She looked at it more of an interaction with individuals," McLaughlin said. "That's what she liked to do: interact with the children in the classroom."
In a letter sent home to parents, Principal Daron Heilman called Franta an "integral part of our staff in enhancing a positive community."
"She will always be remembered as part of our school family and we will miss her greatly," he wrote.
Her compassion in the classroom carried over into family life, too, McLaughlin said. He described Franta as the little girl "full of smiles" at family reunions in northwest Iowa, and she continued attending reunions as an adult.
"As she got older, she didn't make anyone feel out of place or better than anyone," he said.
Peterson said Franta exhibited the same traits — "positive, sweet, caring" — as secretary and show announcer, both volunteer roles, for the equestrian organization.
"There wasn't a day I didn't see a smile on her face," Peterson said.
More importantly, she said, Franta touched hundreds of lives as a teacher, mother and volunteer in the equestrian community — and will be sorely missed, Peterson said.
"She loved life and to have something like this happen to her is unfathomable," she said. "We're just in shock."
May god lay his healing hand on her family and friends I shall pray for her.
KillerB.....a little respect and sympathy would be nice here.
Mary Beth was a kind and gentle person who didn't believe in violence. I will miss you Cuz, please be waiting at the pearly gates for the rest of us.
My heart hurts for her and her family. This is horrible and no one deserves this. Rest in peace Mary Beth Franta. You will be missed by all you touched in your short life.
"KillerB.....a little respect and sympathy would be nice here."
Noindex -- by posting an empty and meaningless warm and fuzzy comment that does nothing to ease the suffering of those toward whom that comment is directed? Then have a nice day, Thomas.
"...how little does the common herd know of the nature of right and truth." - Socrates in Plato's "Euthyphro" (about 399 B.C.E.)
Hey KB I thnk the point is when people are murdered or commit suicide or are injured or in pain physically or emotionally humans with a sense of greater cause reach out with an empathetic touch. Most of the trolls that live here at the Las Vegas Sun reachout with their opinion on cause and effect and their critique of how someone choses to acknowledge the loss or pain being suffered. The reality is that while trolling is sometimes humorous and adds a flair of levity the greater portin of society finds their behavior and commentary offensive. An example, while the Westbourogh Baptist Church has the first amendment right to picket the funerals of gays lesbians and fallen soldiers we as a society have a right to find their actions offensive, crass, and repugnant. Heres to hoping your caring and concern for the family and those affected by this tragedy has the amount effect you so crave. Here's to the betterment of our society that when someone engages in a empathetic exercise they aren't critiqued based on some imaginary measure to it's efficacy. RIP Mary Beth Franta you will be missed by the lives you touched.
"...humans with a sense of greater cause reach out with an empathetic touch."
ElJeffe -- no, "the point" would be reaching out is empty and meaningless unless it actually accomplishes some good. Posting here with nothing more is about as useful as telling someone with real problems to "have a nice day" -- like making that stupid remark to someone obviously homeless without putting a couple bucks or a sandwich in his hand. Or like the bible's comment found in one of the Peters about telling that person in need "be ye warmed and filled!" then just walking away without doing either.
The above exchange, which the Sun unfortunately removed, is a prime example of herdspeak.
"Mankind cannot bear too much reality." -- T.S. Eliot
3 letters: CCW
LV Sun:
It says when she went missing, when was the body found? ie. did she head out to the grocery store and get killed or was she taken there sometime later?
Is it correct that violent crime in this city seems to be on the increase?
What's with teachers getting murdered in LV?
What a shame! I'd be looking at the men in her life, husband, ex-husband, boyfriend, some guy making trying to date her, etc.
This was more than likely not a random act.
Condolences to the family, friends and the students of Molasky MS.
Let me second the CCW comment that was not removed since my comment that mentioned a certain caliber was removed. The staff must not like that caliber.
So KB, I am hesitant to hijack this thread and feed your trolling anymore then necessary, however as the nature of trolling will be here goes. Your opinion and critique about someone elses empathetic gesture is your right. It is everyone elses right to find it out of order and place. The purpose of offering someone your condolences in writing is a long standing tradition with a very good basis in practice. If everyone who was touched by this persons life was to bring a sandwich to the home of the grieving family in a city of slightly less then 2,000,000,000, the amount of coats jackets and sandwiches would clearly be an overwhelming problem itself. Now I recognize your point in judging the efficacy of offering a prayer as to filling the stomach or clothing needs of the bereaved, however you strike me given your quotations as a mildly intelligent person and therefore I am left with no alternative but to brand you a "Forum Troll" looking for attention in your critique of another parties empathetic gesture. While you are not alone here at the Las Vegas Sun those of us offended by your lack of coothe have an equal right to point you out in the crowd and subject you to the only civilized tool we have at our disposal "shame" and "rebuke". Until you show up at the funeral to point out the foolhardiness and futility and lack of efficacy in our exercise we are going to have to tolerate your trolling here. Hope to see you and your score placards out at the O'Callahan-Tillman Bridge to judge the jumpers form. ;-) Have a great day, I'm praying for you.
How very Sad
I hope they catch her killer
More Invaders=More violent crime
Illegals bring an element of crime with them as they ignore our laws and play kill or be killed on the streets of Las Vegas.
___________
Where does it say in the story that she was murdered by an illegal immigrant?
Angry/Prejudice people = poor reading skills
I agree with future_resident this does not seem like a random act. I'd be very surprised if killer wasn't someone she knew.
and @ LasVegas2009..When they catch the killer and post his/her/their name(s) if the killer is unknown to the victim and has a Spanish surname then you may spew your hate. Until then be a peach and spare us all, mmmkay?
Weather or not an Invader is responsible for this killing is not the issue. However the environment that is created when we look away to from the illegal invasion is what breeds crime. When we turn our heads at the criminal invasion it says to all criminals that we have a allowed criminal activity to become the norm.
__________________
Criminal activity has been here before "the invasion". Las Vegas was built by the MOB! What the crap are you talking about?
ladies and gentlemen, once again we have the ultra pedantic and incredibly callous killerb here to prove to herself and the world just how much smarter she thinks she is than the rest of us. as a steadfast defender of pimps, pedophiles, and panhandlers it really makes one wonder where she actually fits into society, if at all. threatening to label others as "irrelevant" and then poaching someone else's thoughts via quote must really make her proud of herself. poor little thing.
RIP Mary Beth Franta, let's hope that LVMPD makes this a high priority. This sounds like a random act and another sad example of why we need to arm ourselves. Start the process for your CCW today!
The little bit of info about this occurence makes one wonder how this woman got herself into such a bad situation if she was only going grocery shopping.
Hopefully we will learn all of the sad tale in time and that information will assist us in staying safe.
It's a sad day for us all when we lose a cheerful person who tried to improve our lot.
That said, I'm guessing that Metro already has a list of possible leads. While it's possible that this murder was the result of a random act of violence, my guess is that the victim was being stalked, and the stalker got the chance to become a murderer and took it.
My condolences to friends and family. May justice come swiftly so that your grief may pass.
Why post warm and fuzzy comments? I can answer that... My daughter was Mary Beth's student and earlier this year Molasky (and my daughter)also lost a 14 year old friend to Leukemia. So I'm sorry but I think friends and family that are trying not to imagine the terror and fear of Ms. Franta's last minutes could use a little warm and fuzzy. I'm sure you're not thing about the family and friends that are just hearing the news and are trying to get information about memorial services and vigils but remember this... The first amendment is the Right and Freedom of Speech but a Right shouldn't be squandered because it's free to you.
How terribly sad for her friends and family. My condolences and hope the worthless POS is apprehended as quickly as possible. The world has become such a crazed place. Truly sad!
My daughter loved having Ms. Franta as her science teacher last year! Our prayers go out to Ms. Franta, her family, her friends and her students. Rest in peace Ms. Franta.
Prayers go out to the family. I'm sure this will take a big toll on her students. Wish them the best as well.
As for this dimwit KillerB - Utterly irrelevant. This worthless clown should have his comments removed.
I'm pretty certain most people do NOT care what that imbecile opines about those of us who would like the family to know that as a community, we extend our prayers and gratitude for her work.
Sun needs to create a thumbs up or down system. Comments with multiple (you set the number) thumb downs will automatically be closed and, optionally, may be viewed if you click to view it.
Let the readers do the work.
She is (was) my second period teacher. And i just found out today she was dead, counselors came in to talk about her death while i was in her class with a substitute. R.I.P Mrs.Franta, I hope you like our reif we made for you today!
Love Michael, youre best/worst student!
Guys, please remember that you are blessed. Dont take advantage of ANYTHING!
This is just terrible. God Bless her and her family. Let's hope Metro catches culprit(s) swiftly.
Thank you Sun, for the removal of that awful comment yesterday. As the news came swiftly today, the staff at MJHS braced for a day of grief and explaination. Teachers, like the police, are on the front line every day, in overcrowded classes, parents that have absolutely NO IDEA of how much we are on thier side fighting for an excellent education and safe environment for their kids. I have 3 children in the CCSD system and cant say enough for the hard work and committment that EVERY CCSD employee must face daily. We have a passion for reaching children and to hear things posted about how innappropriate the robo message from principal was just made me cry. Mary Beth will be missed by so many more than just staff. She has touched the lives of hundreds and hundreds of students in this city. She is a wife, a mom, a daughter. Only God can understand how this will bring good back to our community. Meanwhile, for believers, please pray for our school, our teachers, our staff members and mostly our students who hardly can grasp this tragedy. Pray that our administrators continue to armor themselves with faith that we will get through yet another school tragedy and that the Molasky community will find strength to continue to great work we do. Pray for Mary Beths family. MB...we miss you. Lord, I know her reward in heaven will be great.
pmmart "The little bit of info about this occurence makes one wonder how this woman got herself into such a bad situation"
How can you be as crass as to blame the victim? How can you possibly stretch the idea of her going about her daily life, as we all do, as putting herself into a bad situation?
I was the victim of a home invasion last year. Do you think that because I happened to be at home at the time was what "put me in a bad situation"?
Ms Franta was the innocent victim of the ultimate violent crime. By all accounts she was a wonderful and gifted person who leaves behind a grieving community.
God bless her, and may her family, friends and students find comfort in each other.
A quote in the original story, "Peterson said Franta had three loves: her two grown children, her junior high science students and horses," sort of foreshadows the later version where her husband is arrested.
Hmmm? Her husband doesn't make the cut for her top three loves.
Another perfect life snuffed out by a monster. A woman who loved everyone and animals and cared deeply for her students. She will be missed.
To LasVegas2009.. Told you so!
Whatever happened to filing for divorce when one doesn't want to be with a spouse anymore? I wonder if this is a case of "if I can't have you, no one will."
She seemed like a very nice lady who didn't deserve to die such a violent death. My condolences to her family and friends.
RIP Ms. Franta. You will be missed.
My condolences to her family and friends.
I find it hard to believe that he was so heavily intoxiated that he accidentally killed his wife. Especially given that he disposed of the body, concocted an alibi and reported her missing.
RIP
Thank you all for your kind words. Marybeth was a cousin of mine. The news of this has shaken the Franta clan to it's very core, and has reached those of us in Seattle, Denver and Cedar Rapids. It is wonderful to hear the heartfelt words of those whose lives were touched by Marybeth's love and passion. Although your words don't ease the pain of this horrible tragedy, it gives us hope that Marybeth will not be forgotten and proof that her life had true meaning. How many of us can boast as such?
That, KillerB, is the point.
Funny...Albertson's and Shortline express combined don't have the revenue of Costco, but when it works for Metro their surveillance cameras work.
Whatever happened to Freedom of Speech.... You mean to say I get deleted because I wish they didn't allow prisoners access to computers? Or was it because I said KillerB has been sticking up for pedophiles since Chester Stiles came on the scene?
@skerlahdee - maybe he didn't make the cut (as you put it) because he is a drunken wife abuser? Ya think?
Why are people wondering "How she got herself into this situation" or why her husband "Didn't make the cut"... Are these examples of trying to blame the victim here? How does one 'get themselves into a situation' if, in the course of going grocery shopping, they are suddenly accosted in a parking lot and led away to their death? This can and has happened... however, in this case we now know she was, in all liklihood, murdered before she left her home. Stop trying to blame the victim and women in general please, show a little respect.