KEY POINTS

  • Daniel Halseth’s burned body was found on April 9
  • The cause of death was sharp force injuries
  • The police found surveillance video evidence

A Las Vegas teen girl and her boyfriend were taken into custody Tuesday for murdering the girl’s father whose burned body was found on April 9.

The police arrested the 16-year-old girl and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Aaron Guerrero, for murdering 45-year-old Daniel Halseth and trying to cover up the murder.

The suspects were on the run since Friday after the police discovered the burned body of Halseth from his home. They are now facing a murder charge and are expected to be charged as adults, 8 News Now reported.

The investigators found out that the cause of death was sharp force injuries.

Lt. Ray Spencer of Metro’s Homicide Section revealed further details of the crime while he spoke to the outlet. “There had been items purchased, such as lighter fluid, that was used to light the fire,” Spencer said.

“There was also the purchase of a chainsaw and a circular saw and a handsaw, where attempts to dismember his body were made prior to the fire,” he added. The investigators found out from surveillance video that the teens had also purchased items to clean up the crime scene.

The victim’s teen daughter allegedly stole money and a vehicle from her father, KTNV reported citing police sources. The police have started interviewing the teen girl to determine the exact motive behind the murder.

“We do know that the father had recently made comments that he did not want his daughter dating Aaron,” Spencer told the outlet.

The incident came to light Friday after Halseth’s family friend came home to check on him after he did not respond to their phone calls. They then found the front door of the house open and no one around. When they looked inside the house, they found the burned body of the victim.

The police also found bloodstains throughout the crime scene. Both the teens did not have any criminal history.

“It’s definitely disturbing when you have such young … a young man and a young woman that are being accused of such a horrific crime,” Spencer said.

In Las Vegas, a teen 16 years or older is automatically charged as an adult.

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The investigators found out that the teens had purchased items like chainsaw which indicated that they attempted to dismember the body before they burned it. pixabay
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