Relatives charged in 2008 slaying of woman

By Jackie Valley

Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 | 10:57 a.m.

Three family members have been charged in the death of a relative whose body was found near Mount Charleston in May 2008, according to arrest reports released Wednesday.

The body of Maria Marino, 52, was discovered May 28, 2008, off Lee Canyon Road. White towels covered the victim’s neck and feet, and a white substance covered her body, police said in the reports.

The victim’s niece, Stefanie Petrozzino, her sister, Dolores Penardo, and her brother-in-law, Richard Penardo, have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder with use of a deadly weapon, according to the arrest reports.

After a more than three-year investigation into Marino’s death, detectives said “all three subjects admitted involvement in varying degrees to different people,” according to the arrest reports.

A physical altercation allegedly occurred at the home Marino shared with Dolores Penardo, Richard Penardo and Stefanie Petrozzino, police said in the report.

During the argument, Marino allegedly was strangled with speaker wire, and her body was disposed of near Mount Charleston, according to the arrest reports.

Money possibly played a role in the slaying, detectives said in the report.

Petrozzino is currently serving time at Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center for an unrelated conspiracy to commit robbery conviction, officials from the Clark County District Attorney’s Office said. Richard Penardo also is serving time at High Desert State Prison for an unrelated felony forgery conviction, officials said.