Woman burned in Las Vegas desert died of gunshot wound to the head

LAS VEGAS –  Authorities have identified the burned body discovered in the desert a mile east of the Seven Magic Mountains art installation on the Fourth of July.

Natalie Carbajal, 29, of Las Vegas, died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Clark County coroner's office.

The manner of death, the coroner said, was murder.

On July 4 at 11:15 a.m., Las Vegas Metropolitan Police dispatchers received a report of a burning body on Bureau of Land Management land a mile east of Seven Magic Mountains. 

Arriving officers and fire crews confirmed the remains were human, according to police. Detectives in the homicide department have opened an investigation.

Carbajal left behind a 2-month-old daughter.

Carbajal's mother, Alicia "Curly" Carbajal, died July 13 of cancer at age 48. An online fundraiser to help pay for funeral expenses for Carbajal and her mother had collected $10,990 as of Monday morning. 

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Las Vegas detectives at 702-828-3521 or homicide@lvmpd.com.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or www.crimestoppersofnv.com. Tips to Crime Stoppers leading directly to an arrest or indictment may be eligible for a cash reward. 

Ed Komenda writes about Las Vegas for the Reno Gazette Journal and USA Today Network. Do you care about democracy? Then support local journalism by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal right here.