LVMPD reveals new details in unsolved 1994 Melonie White murder case

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Metro Police Department revealed new details in an unsolved 1994 murder case of Melonie White.

On August 27, 1994, two men were hiking on Lake Mead Boulevard when they discovered the body of a woman lying in a flooded area near the entrance to the recreation area.

Here's a video of the scene when the news first broke in 1994

Investigators are on scene at the scene of Melanie White's murder

At that time, following an autopsy, police identified the body as 27-year-old Melanie White. Police believe she was dragged from a car into the washed area, strangled and killed by blunt force trauma.

During the initial investigation, no suspect was identified and the case was closed.

This is a video from 1994 with an LVMPD detective commenting on the case

The Las Vegas Metro Police Department commented on the case in 1994

In 2010, investigators re-examined the DNA and determined it was male, but released no further details. In 2021, they returned again, with little to no clues.

That's when the Las Vegas Justice League stepped in. This is a company full of volunteers who support Metro Police and provide money to re-evaluate DNA samples. They pay to have the samples sent to the Othram labs, which use the latest technology that may not have existed when the original study was carried out.

Almost 30 years later, since 1994, police identified the suspect as Arthur Lavery. He was 38 years old at the time and a Las Vegas native.

You can view the full press release from LVMPD here

Las Vegas police expect to release new details about an unsolved 1994 murder case

Police said they could not find a connection between White and Lavery because he died in February 2021 from complications of COVID-19.

White moved to the valley with her boyfriend in the spring of 1994. She went missing on the night of August 26th.

During a press event on Tuesday, Melanie's younger brothers Walter and Jason White spoke about their late sister.

“We will always miss Melanie and believe that solving her murder will help bring her and all of us some measure of peace,” said Jason White.

Jason and Walter say many members of their family were heartbroken as they mourned Melanie. With this news they have now found closure.

“She was just a really nice person, which is tragic,” Walter White said

“We loved her very much and she did too. She had a son who is 33 years old and he is healthy and happy and he is part of the family,” Jason White said.

This is now the Las Vegas Justice League's 9th completed cold case since its opening in 2020. The company also has a national program currently working to find answers to over 100 cases across the country.