Fernley murder suspect sought

FERNLEY - A woman, who was reportedly seen entering a Fernley apartment hours before a dead body was found, is being sought by the Lyon County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators are seeking information on a white woman described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing about 125 pounds and with short blond hair, who may have been in a light blue 1988 Dodge Ram Charger in the area of the canal bridge on Highway 95A about 6:30-7 a.m. Thursday.

Fernley resident Ethyl R. Booton, 76, was found dead in her bed in her Circle Drive apartment that evening by her son, who also lived there and had returned from work in Reno. The son, Michael Booton, reported that the apartment appeared to have been ransacked, with several items missing.

An autopsy by the Washoe County Coroner's Office determined Mrs. Booton had been strangled and confirmed the death as a probable homicide, investigators said. The Lyon County District Attorney's Office is calling the crime a murder/robbery.

Investigation since Thursday resulted in the recovery of some items missing from the residence.

According to information received so far, investigators said, the woman being sought was seen walking into the Bootons' apartment Thursday morning. She may be with a white man 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing about 145 pounds, with a shaved head, glasses and a clean-shaven face.

The woman is known to frequent casinos and bars to play video poker and may be in the Fallon and Churchill County area.

Investigators asked that anyone who may have seen the woman to contact Sgt. John Arndell at the the Lyon County Sheriff's Office at 577-5026, 577-5023, 463-6620 or 575-3383.