Las Vegas Woman’s Murder Allegedly Solved After Nearly 30 Years with Help from Local Volunteers

A Las Vegas woman’s murder has allegedly seen a resolution nearly 30 years after her body was discovered in August 1994, thanks to a dedicated group of local volunteers. The Las Vegas Metropolitan police Department announced this significant development on October 22, revealing that the relentless efforts of the Vegas Justice League played a crucial role in solving this cold case.

The grim saga began on August 27, 1994, when two hikers stumbled upon the body of Melonie White near Gypsum Wash, about 20 miles east of Las Vegas. The following day, the Clark County Coroner’s Office confirmed her identity, with the cause of death ruled a homicide by strangulation and blunt force trauma. The case was initially taken on by the police department’s homicide section, but despite numerous leads, it eventually went cold.

Collaboration with Volunteers

Lt. Jason Johansson shared details about the investigation during a press conference. Over the years, several leads were investigated, yet none yielded an arrest. In 2010, cold case detectives revisited the files and submitted evidence for DNA testing, leading to the creation of a suspect profile that was uploaded to a national DNA database. Unfortunately, this effort did not produce any matches.

In 2021, the detectives collaborated with the Vegas Justice League, a group that funds DNA testing for cold cases. They sent the suspect’s DNA profile to a Texas lab, Othram, which used forensic genetic genealogy to identify the suspect, Arthur Joseph Lavery. Sadly, Lavery had passed away in 2021 from COVID complications, but he was living in Las Vegas at the time of the murder.

Family’s Long-Awaited Closure

The White family finally feels a sense of closure after decades of uncertainty. Melonie’s brothers expressed their gratitude toward the police and the Vegas Justice League, whose contributions were pivotal in resolving the case. After 30 years of heartache, they received the news they had long awaited, allowing them to process their loss more fully.

While the investigation has provided answers about Melonie’s tragic fate, questions remain about her relationship with her alleged killer. Johansson mentioned that the police are uncertain whether Melonie and Lavery knew each other at the time of her death. Her brothers reflected on her life, describing her as a woman who was at a crossroads, trying to navigate her career and personal aspirations.

This case exemplifies how community involvement can lead to breakthroughs in long-standing mysteries. It underscores the importance of local efforts in bolstering law enforcement capabilities, particularly in cold case investigations. The support from the Vegas Justice League has not only led to the resolution of Melonie’s case but has also contributed to the closure of several others, showcasing the power of collaboration in the pursuit of justice.