Trucker killed in Fernley

FERNLEY - A Bend, Ore., trucker was found dead Sunday night in an apparent murder outside of a motel parking lot.

Roger L. Kelly, 50, was working on his late-model Kenworth tractor in the parking lot of the Best Western Fernley Inn when he was attacked about 9 p.m. and shot in the chest, officials said.

Upon discovery of the crime scene, Lyon County sheriff's deputies sent out an alert to Northern Nevada law enforcement agencies, but no arrests have been made.

Debbie Gebel, assistant manager of the motel, said motel employees were unaware of what had happened until a passing motorist alerted them. Until officers arrived, they thought Kelly had suffered a heart attack.

"He was parked up against our fence," she said. Gebel said the parking area was far enough away from the building that gunshots might not be heard.

"As far as I know, he wasn't staying here," she said.

Detectives sealed the area and conducted an investigation into the early morning hours, said Sheriff Sid Smith. The investigation continued on Monday.

The motel has a truck parking lot (where Kelly's body was found), a recreational vehicle area and traditional rooms.