Thursday, July 3, 1997 | 9:28 a.m.
A Marine recruiter whose murdered body turned up in Lake Mead had apparently ducked out of his job in California during the days preceding his death and fled to the Strip to gamble.
Metro Police have information that Staff Sgt. Ronald Parkhurst, a 12-year Marine veteran who regularly gambled here, was in the MGM Grand several times between June 15 and 18, and his ATM card was used to withdraw approximately $500.
At the time of his death, Parkhurst was stationed as a recruiter out of Huntington Beach, Calif., and was listed as a resident of Irvine.
"He had an appointment to meet with an inductee and his family that Sunday (June 15) and never showed," said homicide Sgt. Kevin Manning.
Investigators have determined that Parkhurst, instead, drove alone from California that day to Las Vegas. He checked into the Motel 6 on Tropicana Avenue when he arrived, checked out early June 16, checked back in that evening, and checked out again on the morning of the 17th.
Parkhurst's car, a black 1995 Ford Mustang GT bearing California license plates 3RXS524, was towed from the entrance of the Desert Princess Cruise boat dock on June 18, about 5:30 a.m.
Boaters found his body floating on the southeast side of Saddle Island about 9 a.m. on June 21 with a fatal bullet wound in his head. An autopsy determined that the body had been in the water about three days.
Police have found no evidence that Parkhurst had any major debts at the time of his death, nor any reason to believe that the tragedy was a suicide, Manning said.
"He was absent without leave," Manning said. "He wasn't even supposed to be here. We're hoping we can find someone who saw him while he was here or knows anything that can help us piece together what happened to him. "
A $1,000 reward has been offered for information in the case.
"At this point," Manning said, "we have more questions than answers."
Anyone with information is urged to call the homicide section at 229-3521. Anonymous tips can be placed with Secret Witness, 385-5555.
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