Police seek clues in stabbing

They said a man called the 911 emergency number Monday night to say he was stabbed as he answered his door.

William Darnell, 72, told police and paramedics that he was stabbed as he responded to the door, but could give no description of his attacker.

He was taken to Washoe Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Deputy Reno Police Chief Jim Weston said Darnell's wife was at a Sparks casino at the time of the stabbing.

Irene Dixon-Darnell has been prominent in the Reno area as the chief force behind the Young Masters Chess Club, which for nine years has kept thousands of Reno-Sparks at-risk youngsters busy after school.

Weston refused to divulge details of the incident, including what kind of weapon was used or how many times Darnell was stabbed.

He said police aren't certain whether the attacker acted alone or if robbery was a motive.

Weston said the Darnells had lived in the Tom Sawyer Village complex of mostly senior citizens for at least 20 years.

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