42-Year-Old Faces Murder and Arson Charges in Burning Vehicle Homicide

North Las Vegas police have arrested 42-year-old Marcella Patterson in connection with a homicide involving a man whose body was found inside a burning vehicle. Authorities say the fire occurred on August 17 in the 3200 block of Mary Dee Avenue, near Civic Center Drive and Cheyenne Avenue. Fire crews extinguished the blaze only to discover the deceased man, later identified as 32-year-old David Weaver, slumped over inside the passenger seat of a white Lexus. An autopsy ruled Weaver’s death a homicide, citing a single gunshot wound to the head. Investigators also recovered a cartridge case and an incendiary wick at the scene. Patterson faces charges including open murder with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit murder, and third-degree arson. Police notes suggest she was present near the scene based on phone records, and that she allegedly collaborated with an unidentified man who later died by suicide during a standoff with police. Patterson is currently being held without bail and is expected to appear in court next Tuesday.

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal; FOX5 Las Vegas