Police considering ‘foul play’ in search for missing Las Vegas dancer

By Jackie Valley

Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 | 1:34 p.m.

Metro Police are treating the case of missing Luxor dancer Deborah Flores-Narvaez as if foul play is involved despite no indication of such so far in the investigation.

"She may have left on her own," said Lt. Rob Lundquist of Metro's crimes against youth and family bureau. "However, we are taking this and treating this very seriously. At this point, we're going to look at every aspect into this investigation as if there was foul play."

At a press conference Tuesday morning, police revealed little new information about the search, which is now in its second week.

Flores-Narvaez's roommate filed a missing persons report Dec. 14 when she failed to show up for a late-night dance practice and then a show.

Flores-Narvaez, a dancer in Luxor's "Fantasy" show and two-year resident of Las Vegas, was last seen the evening of Dec. 12 leaving her apartment near Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue.

She apparently briefly stopped by the residence of her ex-boyfriend, Jason "Blu" Griffith, who police said is cooperating with the investigation.

Police said Griffith — like anyone with knowledge of a missing person — is considered a person of interest in the case but not a suspect at this point.

"We know he has had a relationship with Deborah, so we are still speaking with him, and we are still looking into that matter," Lundquist said. "Even though we know he had a conversation with Deborah, we are also looking into all other aspects of this investigation."

An arrest report for Griffith released Monday details a past abusive relationship with Flores-Narvaez, who was allegedly pregnant with his child.

According to the report, Griffith was arrested in late October and charged with coercion after he allegedly stole Flores-Narvaez's iPhone, pushed her down on the ground, kicked her and pulled her hair.

Police today said they have no knowledge of the status of Flores Narvaez's alleged pregnancy.

Her mother, Elise Narvaez, recently told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she received a text message from her daughter Dec. 1 saying,"In case there is ever an emergency with me, contact Blu Griffith in Vegas. My ex-boyfriend. No my best friend."

Her mother told the newspaper that she asked her daughter what it meant and she responded, "Nevermind, mommy. Just keep it for your records."

Police located Flores-Narvaez's car — without its license plate — in northeast Las Vegas about 5:35 p.m. Dec. 16 and found a small makeup bag inside.

The car currently is being processed for forensic evidence, Lundquist said.

Police said they are looking at all "historical data" such as text messages, e-mails, cell phone records and posts on social networking sites but declined to elaborate about their findings, citing the ongoing investigation. They're also talking to Flores-Narvaez's friends and family.

Lundquist said the department remains hopeful the search for Flores-Narvaez will result in a happy outcome, but like any missing person case, they are approaching it with the potential for foul play and a negative outcome.

Flores-Narvaez's sister, Celeste Flores-Narvaez, flew to Las Vegas on Friday to help with search efforts and has since distributed fliers with her sister's friends.

Flores-Narvaez is described as about 5-feet-5-inches tall and 120 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

She typically wears bright colors and has a faded imprint of an old tattoo in the shape of a joker on her ankle, Celeste Flores-Narvaez said. She has lived at an apartment complex on Duke Ellington Way, which is near Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Flores-Narvaez, originally from Puerto Rico, previously worked for the Washington Redskin Cheerleader Ambassadors in 2007 and 2008. According to her MySpace biography, she earned a law degree and has a bachelor's degree in international business but decided to pursue her passion for dancing.

Police urge anyone with information about the case to call Metro's missing persons detail at (702) 828-2907 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or visit www.crimestoppersofnv.com.