LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: A 42-year-old man, who had previously been charged in connection with two January homicides, was recently rebooked on a third murder charge for a different stabbing death in Las Vegas. Jesus Gonzalez was arrested in January on charges stemming from the fatal shootings of 37-year-old Ashleigh Figearo and 39-year-old Jose Soto.
Gonzalez was rebooked on Friday, July 7, in connection with the stabbing death of Cynthia McClelland, 61, who was found dead inside a burning apartment on the afternoon of January 09, according to LA Review Journal. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) previously reported that all three victims were found dead in less than 24 hours in and around the downtown area. As evidenced by court documents, prosecutors filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Gonzalez in March.
What are the charges against Jesus Gonzalez?
Court documents noted that Gonzalez has been slapped with two charges of murder with a deadly weapon, murder with a deadly weapon against a victim 60 or older, arson, robbery with a deadly weapon against a victim 60 or older, kidnapping with a deadly weapon against a victim 60 or older, and two counts of residential burglary. The suspect was arrested on January 13 after his first victim, Figearo, was found dead with a gunshot wound to her head. Her remains were discovered at about 5:30 pm on January 8 in her kitchen on the 200 block of North 17th Street, court records show.
At that time, prosecutors accused Gonzalez of breaking into Figearo’s house with a firearm and committing a burglary. Police claim after shooting his first victim, Gonzalez chased and killed Soto, who was found dead on the 1800 block of Franklin Avenue just before 3:00 am on January 9. He was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering several gunshot wounds. After being identified as a suspect in Soto’s death, Gonzalez was re-booked on February 16 on an additional count of open murder with a deadly weapon.
Where is Jesus Gonzalez now?
Later on January 9, the Las Vegas Fire Department responded to a report of a fire on the 3800 block of East Charleston Boulevard. Upon their arrival, deputies found severely burnt McClelland inside her blazing apartment. She had also suffered from apparent stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. In April, the Clark County coroner’s office determined that McClelland’s death was a homicide as she died after being smothered and stabbed multiple times. Gonzalez is accused of breaking into McClelland's house to commit a burglary and stealing her cell phone, according to the indictment released on Friday. He is currently held in the Clark County Detention Center without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Wednesday, July 19.
