Man sought after woman found dead

A 29-year-old woman was beaten to death Wednesday afternoon inside a sport utility vehicle in a southwest valley neighborhood, Las Vegas police said.

Police were searching for the suspect, 32-year-old Jesus Munguia, on Wednesday evening. Police said he fled the scene, on the 6700 block of Mangrum Circle, near Rainbow Boulevard and Spring Valley Parkway, in a white Honda Civic.

Munguia is accused by police of hitting the woman, who was his girlfriend or ex-girlfriend, in the head with a weapon about 12:30 p.m. Police were not sure of the exact relationship between Munguia and the victim.

The woman's identity was not released by police.

Homicide Lt. Lew Roberts of the Metropolitan Police Department said several people witnessed the violent attack in the neighborhood of single-story homes.

"He might have used a rock, we're not quite sure. We didn't find a weapon," he said. "There's a possibility she was strangled."

Roberts said the vehicle in which the woman was beaten did not belong to her but was parked in her driveway.

Some neighbors described hearing screams during the attack.

Roberts said Munguia faces a recommended charge of murder with the use of a deadly weapon.

Asked about the mind-set of a person willing to commit a homicide in daylight with other people watching, Roberts said: "He doesn't have regard for life. He has a serious anger problem."

Anyone with any information in the case is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555, or the Metropolitan Police Department at 828-3521.