Clark County cold case murder of 50 years may soon have resolution at long last

After decades of uncertainty, the investigation into the 1974 murder of Carol Valenzuela is gaining momentum as authorities focus on Warren Forrest as the main suspect. Valenzuela disappeared after hitchhiking following an argument with her husband, and her body was discovered two months later in Dole Valley alongside another victim, 17-year-old Martha Morrison. Both women had been hitchhiking, which led investigators to suspect Forrest, an employee of the Clark County Parks Department. The case intensified in October 1974 when a survivor of a similar attack identified Forrest as her assailant, resulting in his arrest and conviction. Recently, Forrest was convicted of Morrison's murder, solidifying his connection to these crimes.

Investigators are now awaiting DNA results from hairs found in Forrest's van, which they believe could conclusively link him to Valenzuela's death. Doug Maas, a cold case investigator, remains optimistic about the timeline for potential charges, indicating that resolution is near. As the community seeks closure for Valenzuela's family, the urgency to find justice continues to grow.