Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Woman found dead in ransacked home remembered as ‘exceptional musician’ and ‘beautiful soul’

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Mary Margaret Trimble is seen in Frank Sinatra's string section. Trimble was found dead in her east valley townhouse, which had been ransacked, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

A renowned symphony viola player, Mary Margaret Trimble honed her stringed-instrument abilities in the '70s alongside the likes of Las Vegas regulars Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

The wit of the 70-year-old was likened to that of iconic comic Lucille Ball. Trimble could enliven any room she was in, leading a choir of laughter, longtime friend and former musical colleague Rebecca Ramsey said.

Trimble's body was discovered on a bed in her home by a cleaning crew Wednesday morning, Metro Police said. The east valley townhouse had been ransacked.

She was asphyxiated, the Clark County Coroner’s Office said Friday.

Officers were called about 10 a.m. to the gated community on Dawnflower Street, near Mojave Road, police said. Neither suspects or a motive have been identified.

Trimble was last see alive Tuesday afternoon when she went out to run errands, Metro Lt. Dan McGrath said.

There were no indications that the suspect or suspects forced their way into the house, McGrath said Wednesday. Investigators, who worked through Friday, were combing the area with increased patrols and speaking with neighbors.

Detectives also were looking into possible video footage from the area, including near the community’s gate, which serves as the only way in and out of the complex, McGrath said. Further details were not available Friday.

The slaying was a priority for the homicide unit, McGrath said Wednesday.

“Anytime anybody — especially an elderly person — is killed in their own house, this is a major concern,” he said.

Ramsey said in a phone interview that Trimble would find humor in anybody referring to her as “elderly.”

“Mary would have made so much fun of that” and would have laughed about it, Ramsey added.

Trimble retired a couple of years ago, but in the '70s was a violist in showrooms at Caesars Palace and the old Desert Inn Hotel, Ramsey said, noting that they collaborated for more than 30 years, including sharing the stage at numerous Jerry Lewis telethons.

Trimble was one of the founding members of both the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the Nevada Chamber Symphony, where she was the principal violist.

“Mary Trimble was a valued member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic orchestra from our inaugural season in 1998 to 2012. She was a consummate professional and respected musician,” Jeri Crawford, president and CEO of the orchestra, said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts are with her family.”

Margaret Trasatti, chairwoman of the Nevada Chamber Symphony who worked with Trimble for several years, called Trimble "a lovely lady” and an “exceptional musician.”

In addition to her forte with the viola, Trimble was a warm-hearted and kind person who held her children and grandchildren in the highest regard, Ramsey said. Trimble was also a devout member of the Greek Orthodox Church and “cooked amazing Greek food."

“A beautiful soul was lost,” said Carol Trimble, a longtime friend. “She was a wonderful mother, wife and stepmother. She carried all burdens with great dignity. I can’t believe she’s gone.”

“Most of us are in utter shock,” Ramsey said, adding that she was numb and couldn’t cry the first two days.

“Now I started crying and it goes off and on,” she added before breaking down.

Anyone with information should contact Metro at 702-828-3521 or via email at [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or online at crimestoppersofnv.com".

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