After years of pursuit and cooperation between international law enforcement agencies, Erick Rangel-Ibarra, the man suspected in the 2020 murder of Lesly Palacio, has been arrested and extradited. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), United States Marshals Service, and other collaborators have worked together to bring Rangel-Ibarra into their custody, LVMPD announced.
The arrest ends a multi-year manhunt that began following the disappearance of Palacio, who was last seen alive on August 29, 2020. LVMPD has charged Rangel-Ibarra with Open Murder as detectives transferred the case from a missing persons file to homicide following the discovery of Palacio's body. It was located near Valley of Fire State Park, in Moapa Valley, a discovery that shook the local community and resulted in a nationwide search for Rangel-Ibarra.
Details concerning the extradition were sparse, yet LVMPD credited the FBI, Clark County District Attorney’s Office, and the Mexican Government for their roles in the apprehension and extradition process. In an effort to maintain transparency and provide the public with information on the case proceedings, a video briefing was made available by LVMPD, offering insight into the latest developments.
Erick Rangel-Ibarra's arrest in Mexico was a turning point in the case. He was able to evade capture for several years after a warrant for open murder was issued, and his extradition has been a priority for investigators diligently working on the case. The arrest was confirmed as police in Mexico apprehended him, as reported by News 3 Las Vegas. This milestone was met with relief and significant attention, filling a chapter in a tragic narrative that has persisted in the minds of Las Vegans for half a decade.
