NV NV - Las Vegas, WhtMale 40-55, UP394, suicide in desert, clothes, Nov'70

[malaika]

I wish I had more free time to dig deeper!

 

[Ambercat]

That area looks like it is quite far away from the strip and the tourist places; it is about 9 miles from the north end of the strip to where this man was found. If he drove out there, I wonder if LE found an abandon car in the area? What was public transportation in Las Vegas like in 1970 -- was it possible that he took a bus to the area? My grandparents purchased a house (new) near where this man was found in the early 1980s and the area (at the time) felt like the middle of nowhere. I would like to know if any sharp objects were found near the body.

 

[malaika]

That area looks like it is quite far away from the strip and the tourist places; it is about 9 miles from the north end of the strip to where this man was found. If he drove out there, I wonder if LE found an abandon car in the area? What was public transportation in Las Vegas like in 1970 -- was it possible that he took a bus to the area? My grandparents purchased a house (new) near where this man was found in the early 1980s and the area (at the time) felt like the middle of nowhere. I would like to know if any sharp objects were found near the body.

I believe it's now the location of the Bellagio Hotel, but in the 70's yes it was all desert. See my previous post speculating about the suspicious circumstances and any nearby objects found.

 

[Ambercat]

I believe it's now the location of the Bellagio Hotel, but in the 70's yes it was all desert. See my previous post speculating about the suspicious circumstances and any nearby objects found.

On 11/8/70, motorcyclists found this decedent in open desert area about 1/4 mile northwest of 3600 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

I mapped 3600 N. Las Vegas Blvd. (the address given on NamUs) and it is near the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd and Lamb (near North Las Vegas and Sunrise Manor). If I am understanding correctly, it looks like he was probably found in the area which is still a vacant lot surrounded by N. Las Vegas Blvd, N. Walnut Rd, and E. Gowan Rd.

The Bellagio Hotel is located at 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd. In 1970, the Dunes Hotel and Casino was in that location.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunes_(hotel_and_casino)

I read your previous posts about whether he got to that location and committed suicide or was killed elsewhere and dumped at that location; I agree with you and would really like to know more information about what (if anything) was found with the body.

 

[malaika]

My mistake, I had mistakenly put LVBLVD So.

That's creepy, I drive by LVBLVD/Lamb almost every day on my way to work. Yes it's still a dirt lot, still a creepy place today. I can't imagine how deserted it was almost 40 yrs ago :-/

Knowing that, I would have to say it would be the strangest location to choose for one's suicide. Without any more info, I would have to say I am not sold on this not being a body dump.

 

[Ambercat]

If the unidentified man did go there and commit suicide, how did he get there? Were there any abandoned vehicles found in the area? Did he hitchhike out there? Take a taxi? Also, if I am understanding correctly, what did he hang himself on (with the wire)? Was there blood found in the area of his body from the cuts in his wrists? I think that there is a high likelihood that he was killed somewhere else then dumped there in an attempt to look like a suicide.

Out of curiosity, I went to the Clark County Assessor’s Office to see when the area that the UID man was found built up. It looks like before 1978, most of the parcels in there were really large tracts of acreage, and then they got smaller and subdivided after that. My grandparent’s house, which was in a housing tract off of Lamb was built in 1979, they bought it (new) in 1980. Before that, the land was just open with nothing on it. Probably a very lonely place in 1970.

 

[malaika]

It's frustrating searching these old cases, because you can't go back and get more info, nor ask questions of the LE officers who investigated. Wish we could see the actual police reports about this guy. Wish we could find any reason to get it reopened

 

[wekebu]

In reading the clothing description, the unidentified sounds like a golfer. Were there any golf courses in the area in 1970?

 

[Sleuthster]

Suicides used metal wire around their neck??:waitasec: Hmmm.

Sounds more like a hit to me.

Why would you commit suicide in the manner that the mafia used to kill betrayers?

 

[malaika]

Wekebu, I wasn't here in Vegas in '70 [shoot, I wasn't even born in '70, lol], but I work very near where this UID was found, and I can tell you there is not any golf course anywhere nearby; the area is North Las Vegas, which I guess you could say is sortof the 'pot-smoking high school dropout' sister of the Las Vegas you all know; it's a lower-income area of town, and it has a very high transient aspect, most of the nonprofits and social/community organizations are housed in North Las Vegas, if that tells you anything about the type of area we are talking. And the specific intersection he was located near, well even now 40+ years later it is unimproved land/field on 2 of the corners. I don't know how to copy a map of the area onto this thread, but if you put this address of a nearby business [which I have nothing to do with, BTW] into maps[dot]google[dot]com, you can see exactly what the area looks like today:

3650 Las Vegas Blvd N
Las Vegas, NV 89115


--------the nearest intersection is LV Blvd & Lamb, where UID was found.

In reading the clothing description, the unidentified sounds like a golfer. Were there any golf courses in the area in 1970?

 

[wekebu]

Malaika, I was thinking of where this UID might have spent time while alive. The area he was found is just where someone could have dumped him. From your description, it sounds like a 'perfect' place to leave a body in those days. I was 16 in 1970 and my memory of golfers clothes fits the description. Who wore green suede shoes? Or a checkered green & white jacket? Golfers?

 

[Ambercat]

Wekebu, I wasn't here in Vegas in '70 [shoot, I wasn't even born in '70, lol], but I work very near where this UID was found, and I can tell you there is not any golf course anywhere nearby; the area is North Las Vegas, which I guess you could say is sortof the 'pot-smoking high school dropout' sister of the Las Vegas you all know; it's a lower-income area of town, and it has a very high transient aspect, most of the nonprofits and social/community organizations are housed in North Las Vegas, if that tells you anything about the type of area we are talking. And the specific intersection he was located near, well even now 40+ years later it is unimproved land/field on 2 of the corners. I don't know how to copy a map of the area onto this thread, but if you put this address of a nearby business [which I have nothing to do with, BTW] into maps[dot]google[dot]com, you can see exactly what the area looks like today:

3650 Las Vegas Blvd N
Las Vegas, NV 89115
(702) 644-1220

--------the nearest intersection is LV Blvd & Lamb, where UID was found.

How about by the strip, where all the hotels are (because I have a feeling this guy wasn't local and got a ride, in some form or another to where he was found)? I found this on Wikipedia about golf courses on the strip, but it doesn't really help much.

In recent years, all but one of the on-Strip golf courses (the Desert Inn Golf Course) have fallen prey to the mega-resorts' need for land and have closed. Developer Steve Wynn, founder of previously owned Mirage Resorts, purchased the Desert Inn and golf course for his new company Wynn Resorts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Strip#Golf_courses

 

[Ambercat]

Suicides used metal wire around their neck??:waitasec: Hmmm.

Sounds more like a hit to me.

Why would you commit suicide in the manner that the mafia used to kill betrayers?

Could you elaborate about this? This has always been, in my opinion, one of those "suicides" that was probably murder. Maybe I am too suspicious, though.

 

[Sleuthster]

Could you elaborate about this? This has always been, in my opinion, one of those "suicides" that was probably murder. Maybe I am too suspicious, though.

In movies (ie the godfather) they use (piano?) wire around the neck (from behind) to kill members. They must have gotten this from somewhere factual.

I've just never ever ever heard of someone killing themselves in this manner, cuting the wrists I could see but why go to the extreme of wrapping wire around your neck too.

 

[SurfieTX]

Malaika, I was thinking of where this UID might have spent time while alive. The area he was found is just where someone could have dumped him. From your description, it sounds like a 'perfect' place to leave a body in those days. I was 16 in 1970 and my memory of golfers clothes fits the description. Who wore green suede shoes? Or a checkered green & white jacket? Golfers?

I'm not finding green suede shoes anywhere...just that they were hush puppies. I'm looking back on 1970 garb (vintage sites). I've found a few hush puppies...either slip on's or the lace up oxford type. What I'm interested in is that he had on slacks, a jacket, but a white T-shirt on underneath. All that I am seeing is that most guys would have at least worn a dress shirt plus or minus a tie underneath a "green checkered long sleeve jacket." The other thing I am noticing is that some "green checkered jackets" are of the quilted and lined variety...more rustic. I wonder which it was.

I was pondering if he was a pilot.

 

[malaika]

Whoops, sorry Wekebu. Thinking of it like that, yes you might be right!

Malaika, I was thinking of where this UID might have spent time while alive. The area he was found is just where someone could have dumped him. From your description, it sounds like a 'perfect' place to leave a body in those days. I was 16 in 1970 and my memory of golfers clothes fits the description. Who wore green suede shoes? Or a checkered green & white jacket? Golfers?

 

[SurfieTX]

http://www.earlyvegas.com/the_strip.html

The Sixties and Seventies saw the beginning of the real estate frenzy on the Strip, as future Vegas casino magnants like Howard Hughes, Kirk Kerkorian and a young Steven Wynn, raced to create The Next Big Resort. As the decade of the Sixties culminated with the moon landing, two new casinos were also in a race to open by the time man reached the moon (on July 20). The Landmark, which was inspired by Seattle’s Space Needle, opened its doors first on July 1. The International, Las Vegas’ first 3-winged hotel, opened the next day - July 2, 1969.

Is there a real estate angle?

 

[malaika]

Hi Ambercat, yes there was the Desert Inn Golf Course as well as I think one more whose name I can't remember now, that were on the strip for many years, and that were closed/razed in the last 12 yrs to make room for more hotels.

I do agree that this looks like a body dump, rather than a suicide.

How about by the strip, where all the hotels are (because I have a feeling this guy wasn't local and got a ride, in some form or another to where he was found)? I found this on Wikipedia about golf courses on the strip, but it doesn't really help much.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Strip#Golf_courses

 

[SurfieTX]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/15/mammoths-mobsters-infinte-amounts-money/

Hughes began sweeping mob influence out of Las Vegas hotels and casinos, paving the way for the Nevada Legislature to pass the Second Corporate Gaming Act, allowing corporations to own casinos.

When Hughes left Las Vegas on Thanksgiving 1970, the billionaire had become Nevada’s largest private employer, largest casino owner, largest property owner and largest mining claims owner.

“You could not find a person who could have accomplished so much so quickly,” Maheu said. “Las Vegas was in the doldrums and overall economy was not good.

Coincidence?

 

[nerosleuth]

Could the victim have been a gambler from out of state that was a card counter where one tries to cheat money from a casino?