Police investigate slaying in North Las Vegas

A 40-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with the death of a 47-year-old woman in what was described as a domestic dispute that unfolded inside a home, North Las Vegas police said.

The slain woman was Bronwyn Richards, an art teacher at Neal Elementary School in the northwest valley. Clark County School District spokesman David Roddy said Richards was hired into the school system in October of 1998.

Police said Bobby Dale Richards of North Las Vegas was booked into the city's detention center on a charge of murder with a deadly weapon. "They did have a relationship," Sgt. Tim Bedwell said. "This is a domestic violence case."

But police did not elaborate on the nature of Richards' relationship with the victim.

Las Vegas police previously arrested Bobby Richards in 2007 on a charge of domestic battery.

Police said the slaying occurred shortly before 6 a.m. on the 3000 block of Atwater Drive, near Alexander Road and Simmons Street. Bedwell did not say how Bronwyn Richards was slain. She was transported to University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Both Bobby Richards and Bronwyn Richards were listed as co-owners of the home on Atwater, according to county records. Bedwell said two children lived at the home. He declined to say whether they were there at the time of the slaying.

"They are accounted for and are fine," Bedwell said.

"I am shocked. How sad," said Lisa Budding, who has two sons who had been taught by Richards at Neal, near Rainbow Boulevard and Azure Drive.

A request to speak with the school's principal was denied Friday.

Shawn Hawk, who lives across the street from the Richards home, said he and his wife were watching TV when she thought she heard a scream. Less than a minute later, both of them heard a second scream.

Hawk said he went out to his driveway a short time later and saw multiple police cars at the home across from his. Hawk said at one point, he saw paramedics rush into the house and bring out a woman. He said he looked over a gate that leads to his neighbor's front door and saw paramedics trying to resuscitate her.

"It didn't look too good," Hawk said.

Hawk said he didn't know the neighbors well. They kept to themselves but did wave when they saw him on the street. He said two children lived in the home, a boy and a girl who looked to be teenagers.

Hawk said he has enjoyed living in the neighborhood because residents watch out for each other.

"I love living here. People are nice. ... There are always little kids in the streets just like these little guys here," he said, pointing to a group of four children.

Contact Reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.