Police Debunk Rumors That Murder Suspect Troy Driver Committed Suicide

Despite social rumors, the man accused of kidnapping and murdering Naomi Irion is still alive.

According to rumors, Troy Driver committed suicide while being held in the Lyon County jail.

The sheriff’s office stated in a news release Tuesday morning that the rumors are false and that Driver is awaiting his next court date.

A rural justice of the peace suspended Driver’s court proceedings last week until a state judge can decide whether he should undergo a competency examination.

Troy Driver of Fallon was originally ordered to appear in Lyon County District Court for a competency hearing before a preliminary hearing in her Fernley courtroom next month by Canal Township Justice of the Peace Lori Matheus.

The sheriff’s office stated in a news release Tuesday morning that the rumors are false and that Driver is awaiting his next court date.

A rural justice of the peace suspended Driver’s court proceedings last week until a state judge can decide whether he should undergo a competency examination.

Before a preliminary hearing is scheduled in her Fernley courtroom next month, Canal Township Justice of the Peace Lori Matheus initially required Troy Driver of Fallon to appear in Lyon County District Court for a competency hearing.

According to her new ruling, state law requires her to stop further proceedings “if a doubt arises as to the competency of the defendant.”

Meanwhile, Driver’s attorneys maintain that he cannot be tried in Lyon County for the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Naomi Irion in neighboring Churchill County.

Earlier, Matheus scheduled a preliminary hearing for September 13–15 to decide whether there is strong evidence to bind him over for trial. She also planned to hear jurisdictional arguments at that time.

In addition to first-degree murder, Driver faces six other charges, including sexual assault, robbery, and evidence destruction.

Prosecutors argue that he can be tried on all charges in Lyon County because he kidnapped Irion from a Walmart there before shooting and burying her “all as one continuous course of conduct.”

Credits: Fox Reno