Man who jumped from US 95 was suspect in wife’s death

The man who jumped to his death from a U.S. Highway 95 flyover Tuesday was suspected of strangling his wife in April, according to police.

Hannabal Stewart, 55, was identified by the Clark County coroner's office Thursday morning.

Troopers found his car just before 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Nevada Highway Patrol said, but he jumped from a flyover at the Spaghetti Bowl before they could reach him.

His wife, Marrie Stewart, 42, was found dead on April 20 in the couple's burned apartment in La Villa Estates, 10175 Spring Mountain Road, near Hualapai Way, just after 6:30 a.m.

Metro wasn't sure the fire is what killed her. Hannabal Stewart was found near the front door of the apartment in April with what police called "superficial lacerations." The Stewarts were married Sept. 1, 2011.

Police said there was a "domestic issue" before the fire started, but never elaborated.

Two weeks ago, the coroner's office determined Marrie Stewart was strangled and beaten. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Metro was closing in on an arrest warrant for Hannabal Stewart before he jumped, police said.

The man had a lengthy and violent criminal history in Las Vegas dating back to 1980, Clark County court records show.

He was found guilty on two charges of robbery with a deadly weapon and one count of assault and battery in 1980 and sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to court records. It's unclear exactly how much time he served for the convictions.

He was again sentenced to prison in 1996, this time after being convicted of burglary. He was given six more years, according to court records.

Then in 2010, he was charged with attempting to strangle another woman.

According to an arrest report for the 2010 arrest, Stewart's then-girlfriend, who was not Marrie Stewart, accused him of trying to smother her with a pillow and choking her in a headlock. Police noted scratches on her face, neck and body. Those charges were dismissed three months after his arrest, court records show.

Metro said Hannabal Stewart was the only known suspect in his wife's killing and that homicide detectives will be working with county prosecutors for a final review of the case.

Review-Journal writer Kimberly De La Cruz contributed to this report. Contact Colton Lochhead at clochhead@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638. Find him on Twitter: @ColtonLochhead