Manhunt For Suspect And His Father In Las Vegas Murder
A father and son are now wanted in connection to the murder case. It's possible the duo is now south of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Clockwise from left victim Lesly Palacio, Erick Rangel-Ibarra and his father Jose Antonio Rangel [Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department]
Authorities in Las Vegas are searching for two suspects who are allegedly responsible for the death of 22-year-old Lesly Palacio.
On August 29, 2020, investigators say Palacio vanished and 10 days later her body was found near Valley of Fire State Park in Moapa Valley. The location is about 50 miles north of Las Vegas, NV.
Since Palacio's death, detectives say they've identified 25-year-old Erick Rangel-Ibarra as the main suspect in her case. He's currently wanted for murder. Jose Antonio Rangel, Rangel-Ibarra's father, is also wanted for concealing a crime, police say. Authorities believe both men are now in Mexico and they knew the victim.
Palacio's sister, Kaly Palacio, told ABC 13, "She went to Longhorn Casino with Eric Rangel." The casino released video of Palacio on their property the morning of August 29, 2020. The last time Palacio was seen on camera was sometime around 2 a.m., reports add.
Palacio's mother and sister spoke out about their loved one to the Las Vegas Sun. They said she loved to cook recipes, always looked after her family and she even helped her mother start her own cleaning business. Palacio was the second oldest of five children and always took time to check in and help raise her younger siblings, especially while their mother was earning a living, reports add.
Palacio was buried at the end of September 2020 in a private service. Since then her loved ones have taken to social media to spread word about her murder using the hastag #justiceforLeslyPalacio and many have even held a justice rally down the Vegas strip with posters of Palacio. Family and friends are doing anything they can to raise awareness about her case.
Rangel-Ibarra was last seen in Las Vegas, NV and was driving a white 2004 White F-150 truck with Nevada plates: LVN84A
Jose Antonio Rangel stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has brown eyes, black hair and a medium complexion.
Investigators say he has a tattoo on his ear of the state of California, a tattoo on his chest of a skull and a tattoo on his left wrist of a Dragon Ball Z image.
Rangael-Ibarra stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 173 pounds.
If you know anything, please contact the LVMPD Homicide: 702-828-3521 or send an email directly to: homicide@lvmpd.com.
