Man, 50, arrested in death of woman at Henderson apartment

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Thursday, June 30, 2011 | 10:14 a.m.

A Henderson man has been arrested in the death of a woman at his apartment who he said was a prostitute.

James M. Hill, 50, was booked Wednesday evening into the Henderson Detention Center on murder charges and was being held without bail.

Henderson Police spokesman Keith Paul said Hill called 911 on Wednesday morning claiming a prostitute he arranged to have sex with had died. Officers arrived at his apartment at 75 N. Valle Verde Drive, near Wigwam Parkway, and found the woman dead on a bed.

Police said Hill told officers the woman died accidentally after being choked during sex, but detectives found evidence to indicate the death wasn't accidental in nature.

The woman went to Hill’s apartment Monday night, and Hill claimed the woman was dead when he woke the next morning. Paul said the man told police he contemplated dumping the woman’s body, but then tried several methods of suicide before calling 911 about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Hill told police he took a large quantity of pills to try to kill himself. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, then released Wednesday and arrested in the woman's death.

The woman's name and cause of death will be released by the Clark County Coroner’s Office.

Anyone with information is being asked to call the Henderson Police Department at (702) 267-4750 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or visit crimestoppersofnv.com.