3 arrested in death of man found in Lake Mohave

By Pashtana Usufzy

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 | 5 p.m.

Three suspects have been arrested in the slaying of Domingo Alva-Gonzalez, who was found dead last week in Lake Mohave.

Police said Esdras Lanza-Martinez and Bryan Melendez-Varela, both 18, and Joselin Martinez-Aguilar, 20, have been taken into custody in connection with the murder.

They face charges of murder with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit murder, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, according to a Metro Police news release.

Lanza-Martinez is also expected to be charged with possession of a stolen vehicle for allegedly keeping Alva-Gonzalez's 2003 Chevy Silverado.

According to a police report, the body of Alva-Gonzalez, 27, was discovered Wednesday afternoon by children playing in the Cottonwood Cove area near Searchlight. It appeared the body had been in the water for about 24 hours.

A National Park Service agent who inspected the body reported a 2-inch bruise on the back of the victim's head but no other visible injuries.

Police believe the injury was the result of a rock being thrown by one of the suspects.

Alva-Gonzalez was discovered without a wallet, keys or a cellphone, police said.

According to the report, the suspects' stories conflict, although all three admitted to going to the lake with Alva-Gonzalez and leaving him there dead.

The suspects also admitted to going to Alva-Gonzalez's residence and taking his property, including a 32-inch flat-screen TV, police said.

Police said Lanza-Martinez kept Alva-Gonzalez's truck, ID and a payroll check.

Alva-Gonzalez's roommate reportedly contacted police upon seeing his image on the news. He told police he hadn't seen Alva-Gonzalez since Sept. 30 but had received text messages from Alva-Gonzalez's phone indicating he was moving out.

Melendez-Varela admitted to using the cellphone to access the Web, police said.