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The FBI has upped the ante in an effort to identify the young boy who was found murdered in Mountain Springs almost a week ag. They are now offering a reward of "up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification of John "Little Zion" Doe or the identification, arrest and conviction of those who are responsible for his death.
Here's the background on this ongoing tragic story:
On May 28, 2021, at approximately 7:45 a.m., LVMPD Dispatch received a call of an unresponsive male in the area of Mountain Springs Trailhead, located near mile marker 20 on State Route 160. Officers located the body of an 8-12-year-old boy laying near the forest area of the trail. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. During a press conference that afternoon, LVMPD released a sketch of the victim to help in the identification.
In the early hours of May 29, 2021, a mother saw media reports with the sketch of the victim and reached out to LVMPD Homicide. Working with the Clark County Coroner’s office, the mother identified the victim as her 8-year-old son. Detectives learned he was last seen leaving his house on Thursday May 27 at approximately 9 p.m. He was accompanied by his 11-year-old half-brother Eden Montes and his biological father 37-year-old Jose Montes-Herrera. At approximately 9 a.m., LVMPD held a press conference in hopes to locate Eden and Jose.
Shortly after, officers received information about the location of the 8-year-old boy, Eden and Jose. They had been camping in an area in central Utah that was outside of cellphone reception. Officers were able to confirm the two boys and Jose were safe. It appears the mother and other family members misidentified the victim of the homicide as their family member.
At this time, LVMPD is actively devoting all available resources to identify the victim. Detectives are currently working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to develop a digitally enhanced picture of the victim. We are still asking for the public’s assistance to identify the victim of the homicide.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Office of Public Information
400-B S. Martin L. King Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89106
Office (702) 828-3394 Fax (702) 828-1550
LVMPD detectives are working with multiple community, state, and federal partners in
order to identify the victim and the suspect(s). The National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children was able to provide LVMPD with a digitally enhanced portrait and side
portrait of the victim. The victim appears to be between the ages of 8 and 10, he is 4’11”
and weighs 123 pounds.
The FBI is offering up to 10-thousand-dollar reward for information leading to the
identification of the victim or the identification of the suspect(s) involved in this murder.
Any tip, regardless of how small or insignificant can assist detectives in identifying the
victim.
Due to the place the body was located, it is believed the victim may have lived in Las
Vegas, Pahrump, Baker or other nearby cities. A copy of the enhanced pictures and the
FBI flyer accompanies this release.
Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the LVMPD Homicide
Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. Or they can call
the 24-hour tip line by calling 702-828-3521 or 702-828-2907. To remain anonymous,
contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the internet at
