Justin Medof, 31, a scholar on the Chapman Fowler Faculty of Legislation, is being charged with murdering his girlfriend. He allegedly advised police he woke to search out her ‘overwhelmed, bloody and unconscious’
An Orange County regulation scholar has been charged with murdering his girlfriend after allegedly telling police that he wakened at their Las Vegas lodge to search out her ‘overwhelmed, bloody and unconscious.’
Justin Medof, 31, a scholar on the Chapman Fowler Faculty of Legislation, known as 911 at round 8am on July 12, and claimed he had woken to search out his girlfriend Stephanie Duarte, 30, coated in blood, in accordance with a police statement.
He claimed he discovered Duarte unconscious and tried to wash her to wake her up.
The Clark County Hearth Division responded to the scene on the Home2 Suites lodge to search out Medof making an attempt to carry out chest compressions on the bare sufferer.
Cops took him to a separate room so they might deal with Duarte, however an officer stated she had been useless for a while.
A paramedic tried to revive her as nicely, however stated that she seemed to be in rigor mortis and her jaw was locked, stopping an try at mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Police later reported that she had died hours earlier than Medof known as for assist. She was formally pronounced useless at 8.37am.
Police stated that proof on the scene point out that there was a battle within the room and that Duarte was most definitely bludgeoned within the head. The precise explanation for the loss of life remains to be pending with the Clark County Coroner’s Workplace.
Based on a police report obtained by KLAS, Medof and Duarte had an argument the evening earlier than whereas on the Fremont Road Expertise, a preferred mall and vacationer attraction in downtown Las Vegas.
Stephanie Duarte, 30, pictured, and Medof allegedly had an argument the evening earlier than whereas on the Fremont Road Expertise, a preferred mall and vacationer attraction in downtown Las Vegas
The suspect advised police he left earlier than Duarte and took an Uber again to the lodge, the place he went to sleep.
Witnesses allegedly verified Medof’s declare, and time-stamped safety digital camera footage exhibits Medof getting again to the lodge at 2.12am, whereas Duarte arrives at 2.25am.
The lodge’s evening auditor advised police that Duarte checked in with him round that point and appeared nervous. She allegedly requested if anybody had left her messages or if Medof requested about her. He answered ‘no’ to each questions and advised police he by no means spoke to Medof.
Murder detectives imagine the door to their room was opened final round 2.32am and Duarte was killed later that morning. Friends staying in a room close by advised police that they heard loud noises that gave the impression of a person and a girl had been arguing and furnishings being shuffled round.
Based on the police report, detectives doing proof assortment noticed purple marks throughout Medof’s physique, together with on his rib cage, again, shoulders and knees. He additionally had lacerations on his left bicep, left elbow, knees and the highest of his proper foot.
A criminal offense scene analyst photographing the scene claimed that Medof seemed to be protecting the wound on his bicep. When requested about it, he stated it was outdated and hesitantly moved his hand away, police stated.
Friends staying in a room close by advised police that they heard loud noises that gave the impression of a person and a girl had been arguing and furnishings being shuffled round
After he was taken into custody, Medof refused to reply another questions till his lawyer was there, police stated.
His lawyer Robert Draskovich advised KLAS, ‘You by no means take a police report at face worth. We are actually starting our personal investigation, and we count on there to be extra to this story.’
He added that Medof was finding out to change into a lawyer and is ‘going by means of a troublesome time,’ enthusiastic about how it will have an effect on his household.
Medof is being held with out bail and his subsequent court docket look is August 2.
Based on her Fb web page, Duarte was a market supervisor at CareMore, a well being care supply system
A GoFundMe began by Duarte’s pal Sarah Nooravi, on behalf of Duarte’s household, has raised $56,551 by Monday evening, surpassing its purpose of $50,000
In the meantime, Duarte’s household is struggling to deal with her surprising loss of life, her sister Andrea advised KLAS.
Andrea stated, that her sister was ‘an individual who cherished life; an individual who was all the time prepared for journey, loving, considerate . . . very pushed. Her work has all the time been a precedence, as is her buddies, however extra importantly, her household. This has been horrific. We’ve got by no means skilled something like this. It has been horrific.’
Based on her Fb web page, Duarte was a market supervisor at CareMore, a well being care supply system. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the College of California in San Diego. She was an aspiring well being care employee pursuing a second diploma in nursing.
A GoFundMe began by Duarte’s pal Sarah Nooravi, on behalf of Duarte’s household, has raised $56,551 by Monday evening, surpassing its purpose of $50,000.
Within the description, Nooravi wrote, ‘Stephanie’s passing was tragic and surprising, leaving us all shocked that an exquisite, younger angel would have her life minimize brief. Stephanie was a vibrant spark on the earth and will probably be deeply missed.
‘These of you who knew Stephanie knew how contagious her power and ambition was. Stephanie has left lasting impressions on many people with the pure pleasure and love she carried along with her and she is going to ceaselessly be remembered in our hearts and souls.’
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