Two people found dead in a murder-suicide plot

The Reno Police Department say two people found dead inside a vehicle in Reno, Nevada has been identified, and it was determined that their deaths were a murder-suicide plot.

Reno Gazette-Journal reports that around 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, the bodies of 24-year-old Alex Muratalla of Sparks, and Rachel Tams, 45, of Reno, were found inside a white sedan, which was parked at the end of Rio Wrangler Road near a power plant.

It was reported that Muratalla allegedly shot Tams before turning the gun on himself. Police believe Muratalla and Tams were involved in a murder-suicide plot.

“Evidence collected during the investigation determined Muratalla and Tams had previously discussed committing suicide together and there are no indications that Tams was an unwilling participant in this incident.”

According to Bob Harmon, spokesman for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, it is unclear how long the bodies were inside the vehicle before they were found by a passerby.

Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted autopsies on Friday to determine the exact cause of death.

Initially, Reno police officials received a report about a man walking away from a vehicle, where the bodies were found, with a “long gun,” prompting police to call in a SWAT team to secure the area.

It was later determined that the man had no involvement in the murder-suicide plot and was only a resident who lived nearby – he was target shooting in the hills.

If anyone has information regarding the murder-suicide case, you are urged to contact the “Reno Police Department at 334-2115, Secret Witness at 322-4900, www.secretwitness.com, or text the tip to 847411 (TIP 411) keyword – SW.”

An investigation is underway.