LAS VEGAS — Viola Odell, a 68-year-old retired Air Force sergeant, was found brutally murdered in her northeast Las Vegas home on October 15, 1997. Despite extensive media coverage and police efforts, her killer remains at large, leaving friends and family still searching for answers 27 years later.
Kelly Green, a friend of Odell, described her as “a force to be reckoned with,” noting her intimidating presence but also her softer side when with her beloved shelties. “She was intimidating, she carried herself that way, but then you saw her with her shelties it was so sweet, and she was completely different,” Green said.
Odell was discovered deceased in her garage with multiple stab wounds, according to Lt. Wayne Petersen, who led the Metro’s homicide unit at the time. “Whoever did this murder is pure evil,” Petersen said, adding that the case has haunted him for nearly three decades. He described the killer as a “monster” and expressed concern that they could strike again.
Petersen speculated that Odell may have interrupted a burglary, as she was found with groceries partially unpacked. “She came home obviously after getting groceries, had taken some of the groceries inside and was murdered by some unknown suspect or suspects,” he said. Despite the lack of forced entry, a bloody screwdriver was found at the scene, but no fingerprints or DNA were recovered.
The murder left Odell’s friends with the immediate concern of finding homes for her four dogs and ten cats. A public plea was made to place the final three pets. “At first it seemed real tough they had a hard time adapting,” a veterinarian said in 1997.
Steve Morris, another friend who traveled with Odell to dog competitions, expressed hope that advances in technology might provide new leads. “It would give me comfort if someone would look at this as a cold case, another set of eyes to see if there’s anything going to be done,” Morris said.
Petersen remains hopeful that someone with specific knowledge will come forward. “If someone with very specific knowledge came forward it could possibly be solved,” he said. “Obviously the suspect could have told someone else, it would be hard to keep an act like this to yourself.”
Odell’s friends continue to honor her memory. “She served her country; she served in the Air Force she was a good person and didn’t deserve to have that happen to her. And I don’t want her to be forgotten,” Green said.
Anyone with information about Viola Odell’s murder is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555. Even the smallest bit of information could help solve this enduring mystery.
