Mugshot released of suspect in elderly woman's death

LAS VEGAS - Henderson police released the mugshot of 29-year-old Vernon McClelland Jr. who is a suspect in the murder of Donna McElfresh.

The 84-year-old was found shot and killed in an apartment fire in Henderson two weeks ago. 

On July 6, at about 10:30 a.m., Henderson Police and Fire responded to a structure fire at an apartment complex located at 501 E. Lake Mead Parkway.  Emergency responders found McElfresh inside the burning apartment with apparent trauma to her head and face. 

She was taken to St. Rose Dominican Hospital – De Lima Campus where she died from her injuries.

McClelland was arrested on Tuesday, July 17 in Henderson without incident, police said.

This is not McClelland's first trouble with the law. He took a plea deal earlier this year on a domestic battery/strangulation charge but he did not show up in court. There was a warrant out for his arrest.

He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on charges of open murder with the use of a deadly weapon, burglary while in possession of a gun, first degree arson, and possession of a gun by a prohibited person. There is an enhancement penalty on the murder charge because the victim was elderly.