OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
STATELINE - Two men were arrested and charged with the murder of a 22-year-old woman found beaten and stabbed to death at Horizon Casino Resort, where she worked as a housekeeper.
The body of Jazmin Gonzalez was found in a room on the eighth floor of the hotel on Sunday, authorities said. Two men suspected of her murder, Ramiro Valasquez Galicia and Evan Garcia, were in custody shortly after the discovery.
Early results from an autopsy by the Washoe County Coroner's Office on Monday suggests Gonzalez died from blunt-force trauma and "numerous" stab wounds from a sharp object, according to Douglas County sheriff's Lt. Steve Orr.
"It was a brutal murder," Orr said.
Orr wouldn't provide details of the room where Galicia was found or the type of weapon used, except to say it was a "sharp object."
"She was working. She was on duty," Orr said. "She could have been cleaning this room but we're still investigating."
Garcia was arrested at Horizon where he was staying as a guest, Orr said. Galicia contacted South Lake Tahoe Police Department shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, telling dispatch he wanted to turn himself in, according to South Lake Tahoe police Lt. Marty Hale.
A police officer picked up Galicia at the lobby of the Royal Valhalla Motor Lodge and booked him into El Dorado County Jail. Orr said Galicia walked into the motor lodge and asked an employee if he could use a phone.
Galicia, 35, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy. He is described as Gonzalez's estranged domestic partner. Pending an extradition hearing at El Dorado County Superior Court, Galicia will return to Douglas County.
Garcia is expected to be charged with accessory to murder and conspiracy.
Orr explained the conspiracy charge alleges the two men planned the Gonzalez's murder together.
If you have information
Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact Douglas County sheriff's investigator Anthony Field at (775) 586-7257.