On December 22, 2017, Renee Simmons, 58, and her partner Thomas Dufault, 59, were found shot to death inside their home on Vader Avenue in eastern Las Vegas valley. A nurse and a home care provider arrived for a scheduled appointment about 10:40 a.m., received no answer, looked through a window, saw someone on the floor and called 911. Authorities found both victims dead; the scene was ruled a double homicide.

Investigators reported no signs of forced entry and described the home as cluttered but not ransacked. The murder weapon was not recovered and the victims still had jewelry on, leading family and detectives to say a clear motive was not apparent. The couple’s deaths were counted as the 215th and 216th homicides in Las Vegas that year. As of late 2017 no arrests or public suspects had been announced and the investigation has since gone cold.

Anyone who knew Renee or Thomas, or who has information about their deaths, is asked to come forward.