Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Human remains found near Boulder Highway could be those from missing boy

Updated Tuesday, April 25, 2017 | 8:20 p.m.

Homicide detectives are trying to determine if a decomposed body found in an east valley desert lot Tuesday afternoon is that of a 13-year-old boy who was reported missing earlier this month, according to Metro Police.

The small-framed body, which wasn't immediately identifiable, was found underneath a blanket covered by rocks, Metro Lt. Dan McGrath said in a briefing broadcast online.

The family of a missing teenager discovered the body about 3:30 p.m. in a lot behind an apartment complex in the 3600 block of Boulder Highway, south of Sahara Avenue, McGrath said. Detectives were trying to determine what led the family members to the area.

Police said the boy's family lived at the complex at some point in the past.

The body is in such a state of decomposition that the person likely died months ago, McGrath said.

The father of the boy, who has a history of child abuse, has been in custody since his April 1 arrest on outstanding warrants, McGrath said.

McGrath said that several of the boy's family members were cooperating and being interviewed. There are a lot of "moving pieces" to the investigation, he said. "It's very unusual that you would find your missing family member yourself in a desert area a ways away from everything."

"Based on my experience, the family is going to be able to give us, hopefully, a story on how they ended up in the desert area today," McGrath said.

Based on the body's condition, investigators Tuesday evening couldn't determine the race or sex, McGrath said. The frame of the body could be consistent with belonging to a 13-year-old, he said. "Hopefully it's not."

Further details were not immediately available.

Anyone with information is asked to 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.