Woman found dead in luggage bag near Las Vegas airport

Las Vegas (Court TV) – Police are investigating the suspicious death of a woman whose body was found in a luggage bag near an apartment complex late last week.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to an area near Harry Reid International Airport around 4:19 a.m. on Oct. 3 after receiving a tip about a person possibly deceased.

Kristen Avelar (LVMPD)

When they arrived, they discovered the body of a woman in their luggage. Medical staff responded and confirmed the woman had died. The Clark County Coroner's Office identified the victim as 46-year-old Kristen Avelar.

Although no suspects have been named in Avelar's death, police believe it was murder.

“Due to the suspicious nature of her death, the LVMPD Homicide Unit responded and took over the investigation,” police said in a news release, along with a YouTube video showing photos of the victim.

Investigators are now seeking the public's help to gather information about Avelar's whereabouts before her death. They are asking anyone who knew her or saw her in the days leading up to the incident to contact the LVMPD Homicide Unit at 702-828-3521 or by email (email protected).

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555 or online at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.