LAS VEGAS -- Murders committed as hate crimes are among the toughest cases to crack, homicide detectives say. That's because there are no previous connections between the killer and the victims, meaning there's no pool of obvious suspects.
Metro detectives think the shootings at Lake Mohave in October 2011 were hate crimes, committed by a man who despised the victims solely because they were Hispanic.
This type of crime is as bad as it gets. The killer is a racist, dangerous, and clearly sick. What's worse, he's still out there, walking among us. Detectives are stumped so far, but this is a solvable crime. They have solid information about the suspect, his vehicle, and his methods.
Metro says this suspect may have killed before, and certainly could do it again. They need the public to pay attention and help nail this guy before he murders someone else.
The sign leading to Six Mile Cove proved chillingly accurate for two Las Vegas residents who, on a Monday morning in late October, drove out to Lake Mohave which is part of a national recreation area about an hour southeast of Las Vegas.
On weekdays during the fall, few visitors travel the dirt roads in this vast area. Leopoldo Cardenas and his girlfriend Rosa Castrejon loved the outdoors, and each other. They chose Six Mile Cove as a perfect spot to camp and comb the rocky beach with a new metal detector. But someone was watching them.
"We believe our suspect was there at the lake area, the Six Mile Cove, some hours prior to our victims arriving," said Metro Lt. Ray Steiber.
The couple camped on the southern edge of the cove on Oct. 24, 2011. Lt. Steiber says the suspect and his vehicle were a few hundred feet away. After four hours of watching from a distance, the killer walked down the beach, gun in hand.
Homicide detectives say there is little doubt this qualifies as a hate crime. That's because of what they were told by the man who survived the attack. He said, the killer approached the couple on the beach, yelling at them, yelling something hateful, something racist. Then he started shooting.
Rosa Castrejon was shot in the head and died on the spot. Leo was shot several times, including in the back, but was still alive. The killer walked back to his vehicle, grabbed a knife, came back and stabbed Leo Cardenas, again and again. Then he calmly strolled to his vehicle and drove away.
"There was no provocation. There was no prior contact. They didn't know each other. Our investigation reveals this was a stranger killing two innocent people," Lt. Steiber said.
Despite his savage injuries, Cardenas somehow held on survived a long, cold night in the sand. He even managed to scare off coyotes that circled the bloody scene. Hardened detectives say they can't imagine the horror he endured for so many hours.
"I couldn't begin to imagine. He laid there with his significant other and he knew she was gone, and he couldn't do anything to help her or even himself," Lt. Steiber said.
A hiker found the couple the next day. Detectives scoured the beach, collecting physical evidence including tire tracks, boot prints, and more definitive clues they won't reveal. When he recovered enough to communicate, Cardenas, and a second eyewitness, gave police hard information including that the suspect's vehicle was tan or gold, perhaps a Jeep Grand Cherokee about 10 to 12 years old. The killer was a white male from 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, and between his late 40's to early 50's. They have specific details about what he was wearing.
He might be a local, or at least someone familiar with the area around Lake Mohave. And, given the circumstances of this otherwise unprovoked attack, it is entirely possible he has done this before or could do it again.
"It was deliberate and he definitely intended to harm significantly. So it crossed our minds this is not the first time this has happened," said Marty Wildemann with Metro homicide.
"There is the possibility this person has been violent in the past. To what extent, we don't know, but we don't want to take the chance of someone else becoming a victim," said Lt. Steiber.
Dozens of tips have been provided by the public, and detectives have followed every lead. They have focused considerable attention on the small communities near the Colorado River. They believe an arrest is not only possible, but imperative.
Cardenas is paralyzed for life. Although he is shattered by this horrible experience he is doing his best to help police. He's not ready to be interviewed.
Metro is asking the public to be their eyes and ears. Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro at (702)828-3521, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (702)385-5555. You can also submit a tip online.
