Suspect arrested in stabbing death of 84-year-old woman

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Friday, Aug. 7, 2015 | 12:02 p.m.

A suspect has been arrested in the slaying of an 84-year-old woman who was attacked last month at a Spring Valley home, Metro Police said.

Margarita Balandova, 28, of Las Vegas was arrested Thursday on counts of murder, robbery, home invasion and arson, police said. But the investigation is ongoing and detectives believe another suspect may have been involved, police said.

The victim, Mary Luebeck, 84, of Las Vegas, was found dead about 11:55 a.m. July 29 at a home in the 3200 block of Opera Drive, near Desert Inn Road and Decatur Boulevard, police said.

She died of stab wounds to the head, neck and chest, according to the Clark County Coroner’s Office.

Detectives from Metro’s Criminal Apprehension Team located Balandova and took her into custody without incident. Police did not say what led them to Balandova, who is being held at the Clark County Detention Center.

The Criminal Apprehension Team is made up of detectives from Metro, the Henderson Police Department and the FBI.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Metro’s homicide section at 702-828-3521 or by email at [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or online at crimestoppersofnv.com. Tips leading directly to an arrest or indictment may be eligible for a cash reward.