LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A suspect in the 2020 killing of a 22-year-old Las Vegas woman has been arrested, police announced Tuesday.
25-year-old Erick Rangel-Ibarra was taken into custody in Mexico, nearly four years after the alleged murder.
MORE: Attorney for Lesly Palacio’s family speaks on 3-year anniversary of her death
The victim, 22-year-old Lesly Palacio, was reported missing by family members on Aug. 29, 2020. An initial investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department revealed that foul play was suspected to be a factor in her disappearance.
On Sept. 9, 2020, LVMPD, Moapa Tribal Police, and Red Rock Search & Rescue located Palacio’s body near Valley of Fire State Park.
Rangel-Ibarra was identified as a suspect shortly after. In 2021, his father, 48-year-old Jose Rangel, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to helping drag Palacio’s body from his Las Vegas home and assisting in his son’s escape to Mexico.
Ofelia Markarian, an attorney representing the Palacio family, told FOX5 last year, “The family’s not able to mourn the loss of their daughter, mourn the loss of their sister. They’re still constantly thinking about, ‘Where is Erick?’”
Rangel-Ibarra will remain in the custody of Mexican authorities, pending a decision on his extradition back to the United States.
This is a developing story, please check back later for updates.
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