IN BRIEF

WOUNDED TWICE IN HEAD

Shooting victim was LV woman, authorities say

Authorities have identified a 38-year-old woman who was found about 7 a.m. Friday shot to death in a Lexus SUV as Stacy Ross.

Ross of Las Vegas was found with two bullet wounds to her head at Maulding Avenue and Procyon Street, near Warm Springs Road and Decatur Boulevard.

Police said a small red pickup was seen leaving the scene.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the Las Vegas police homicide unit at 828-3521.

CAUSE OF DEATH UNDETERMINED

Man found dead at West Wendover casino

Police are investigating the mysterious death of a Utah man at a casino in West Wendover.

Carlos Garcia, 22, of Orem was found dead at the Stateline Nugget Casino on Monday morning, West Wendover police said in a statement.

A preliminary investigation indicates Garcia "was involved in an altercation with two people who left the scene prior to officers arriving and died during the altercation," police said.

The cause of death had not been determined.

The body was being transported to the Washoe County Crime Lab in Reno for an autopsy, police said.

MISSING ADVENTURER

Branson says Fossett probably lost forever

British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson said Monday he had all but given up hope that explorer Steve Fossett would be found alive.

Speaking on NBC's "Today" show, Branson described his friend Fossett as a remarkable individual who touched the lives of those he knew.

Fossett, 63, disappeared Sept. 3 after he took off from a western Nevada ranch in a single-engine plane on a search for suitable sites to attempt a new land-speed record.

"I think the chances are that he's no longer with us," Branson said. "I think everybody involved has pretty well given up hope, sadly."