In addition to these options, you can also download the Secret Witness app for Android or iPhone devices. Wednesday, July 31, At age 16, Holly was brutally raped and murdered in her bedroom in Sparks on Sept. For nearly a week following her death, Sparks police detectives worked day and night trying to solve the heinous crime.
No arrests had been made, no strong suspects had been pursued. Someone called Secret Witness , a Reno-based nonprofit organization that allows people to anonymously give information on a crime.
On March 28, , Hamilton was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He remains on death row at the Nevada State Prison in Ely. If the person had not, Hamilton could possibly still be out there. And that is a very frightening thought; not just to me, but also to the public. Indeed, Secret Witness tips have played a pivotal role in solving some of the most violent crimes the greater Northern Nevada region has seen.
George Sullivan and the rape and murder of year-old Reno native Brianna Denison. In the early morning of Jan. Sullivan was ambushed and killed by a man with a hatchet. Vanisi was convicted on Oct. On Jan. Biela, who is also on death row, recently had his second appeal denied by the Nevada Supreme Court.
As a recent example, Balaam pointed to the June murder of year-old Paul Dobbins in the Galena area of south Reno. Secret Witness was formed four decades ago by a group of Reno citizens in response to the murder of 6-year-old Lisa Bonham. Local businessman Don Richter was at the helm of launching the anonymous tip line, said Mike Hix, former chair and current board member of Secret Witness. Since Secret Witness began taking calls in , the nonprofit has received over 80, anonymous tips. All told, its tip line has grown from receiving roughly six calls a month in the early years to now more than These are tips that have helped solve more than 3, crimes in the Reno area, including 40 murders, according to the nonprofit.
