“1991 Murder Investigation: Suspect Thomas Martin Elliott Identified in Las Vegas Cold Case”

1. Las Vegas police cold case murder 1991
2. Las Vegas police solve 1991 cold case murder.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department made a major breakthrough in a decades-old murder investigation that spanned across state lines. In a media conference held on Wednesday afternoon, Lt. Jason Johansson praised the collaborative efforts between the Las Vegas police and their counterparts in Westminster, Colorado. Remarkably, the two departments also successfully solved another cold case from 1975 in Colorado, involving the same suspect, Thomas Martin Elliott.

Providing a comprehensive overview of the investigation, Lt. Johansson began with the report of a suspicious death in a Las Vegas apartment on the 1000 block of W. Monroe Ave. in May 1991. The victim, Sherrie Bridgewater, 30, was found dead in the apartment, her body arranged in a manner that raised suspicions. LVMPD homicide detectives took charge of the investigation, and an autopsy revealed that Bridgewater had been raped and murdered through strangulation.

Despite relentless efforts by investigators, the case remained unsolved for several years. However, advancements in technology in 2013 brought new leads to light. Bridgewater’s sexual assault kit was submitted for DNA examination, resulting in the development of a suspect profile. Unfortunately, the identity of the suspect remained unknown at the time.

A breakthrough occurred when information from the DNA database linked the Las Vegas case to an unsolved murder in Colorado from December 1975. The Las Vegas police immediately collaborated with the Westminster PD upon discovering another victim who had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Both agencies had a matching suspect profile, but the technology available at the time was not advanced enough to identify the individual. Consequently, in 2018, both cases were submitted for forensic genealogy testing.

Fast forward to 2022, and Thomas Martin Elliott was finally identified as the suspect. Police determined that he was present in Colorado when the Westminster victim was murdered and was also in Las Vegas at the time of Bridgewater’s killing. In October 2023, investigators exhumed Elliott’s remains, and DNA samples confirmed a 100% match with the suspect in both murder cases. It is believed that Elliott met Bridgewater, the Las Vegas victim, at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

The resolution of this cold case holds immense significance. Lt. Johansson expressed his deep satisfaction, stating, “Resolving cold cases is of utmost importance to me. Not only were we able to solve a cold case, but we also provided closure to two different families in this case.”

The closure of this long-standing mystery has brought solace to the family of Sherrie Bridgewater. Unfortunately, her father and mother passed away before the case could be solved. Nonetheless, the successful resolution of this case brings hope to other families waiting for justice in unsolved cases and demonstrates the dedication and perseverance of law enforcement agencies in pursuing justice, even after many years have passed.

With this breakthrough, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department showcases the power of collaboration, advancements in technology, and the unwavering commitment to solving cold cases. The successful outcome not only brings closure to the families involved but also serves as a reminder that justice can prevail, no matter how much time has elapsed..

1. Las Vegas police solve cold case murder 1991
2. Las Vegas police cold case murder solved 1991.