The body of a woman, who was missing since May, was found in a desert area north of Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Relatives called the police on May 31 to report the missing family member who had been unreachable for several days.
In July, an anonymous source led detectives to Christopher Prestipino, 45, and Lisa Mort, 31, who were involved in the victim’s disappearance, the department said.
Detectives were able to determine that the victim had been inside Prestipino’s home and was held against her will, according to the department. Mort also “had knowledge of what had occurred and assisted Prestipino.”
On Oct. 8, the woman’s body was found in a wooden structure in a desert area north of Las Vegas.
Both suspects were arrested on Oct. 11. According to jail records, Prestipino faces charges of open murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and first-degree kidnapping resulting in substantial bodily harm, and Mort faces a charge of harboring, aiding, or concealing a felony offender.
Latest news reports that a judge denied bail Tuesday for Prestipino.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Pamela Weckerly said prosecutors had “a great concern” Prestipino would flee the area if he posted bail.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Pro Tem Jeannie Hua ordered Prestipino back in court Wednesday. Hua denied all sources of media requests for electronic coverage, citing a Nevada Supreme Court rule that the require these requests be filed 24 hours in advance.
“That is the rule…I didn’t write it; nobody asked for my opinion.” Hua said.
Lisa Mort was ordered released under electronic monitoring, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Prestipino was arrested previously in 2006, for drug manufacturing and weapon possession, according to Justice Court records. Mort also served time in jail in 2018 for drug use and possession.
The Clark County coroner’s office will identify the victim publicly after her family has been notified of her death.
The death of the victim marks the 104th homicide in Clark County this year and the 79th homicide investigated by Metro.
According to the FBI’s annual crime statistics released on Sept. 30, the national murder rate decreased by 6.2 percentage points between 2017 and 2018.
“Violent crime declined by 3.3 percent between 2017 and 2018. Property crime decreased by 6.3 percent during the same time period.”
