Las Vegas Woman’s Murder Allegedly Solved Nearly 30 Years Later

A Las Vegas woman’s murder case has reportedly been cracked nearly 30 years after she was found dead in August 1994. The Las Vegas Metropolitan police Department announced the significant development on October 22, crediting a group of local volunteers for their crucial role in solving the cold case.

The story 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. Following the discovery, the Clark County Coroner’s Office confirmed her identity and determined that she was a victim of homicide, having succumbed to strangulation and blunt force trauma.

Detectives from the homicide section took over the investigation, but despite numerous leads, they struggled to make any arrests. The case eventually went cold. Fast forward to 2010, when cold case detectives revisited the files and submitted evidence for DNA testing. Unfortunately, initial tests did not produce any viable leads.

To breathe new life into the investigation, detectives collaborated with the Vegas Justice League, a group dedicated to funding cold case investigations in Las Vegas. Their support allowed cold case detectives to send the suspect’s DNA profile to Othram, a lab in Texas, in 2021. Remarkably, Othram utilized forensic genetic genealogy to identify the suspect, Arthur Joseph Lavery, who had passed away from COVID complications in 2021.

While the details surrounding the relationship between Melonie and her alleged killer remain unclear, her family expressed immense relief at finally receiving closure after decades of uncertainty. At a press conference, Melonie’s brother, Jason White, shared their gratitude for the Vegas Justice League’s contributions, emphasizing how pivotal their support was in cracking the case. The resolution of this cold case serves as a testament to the power of community involvement in seeking justice.