A couple, married 53 years, are murdered in their home In the quiet, upscale, and gated community of Montreux in Reno, Nevada, a tragedy unfolded that would leave a lasting chill in the community. Joan Musalo, a 70-year-old Caucasian female, and her husband of 53 years, Albert, were discovered murdered in their home. The couple, who had moved to the area two years prior to be closer to family, were found on a cold and snowy March 28, 2006. Their daughter, concerned after not hearing from them for a couple of days, made the grim discovery.
After receiving no answer by phone or from a security guard's check, she used a key to enter their locked home, where muddy tracks led to the master bedroom and the scene of the crime.
Investigators found a perplexing scene. There were no signs of a forced entry, and nothing of value appeared to have been taken from the home. However, the phone lines to the house had been deliberately cut, an act that suggested a planned attack rather than a random act of violence. Footprints were found in the snow outside a back fence that bordered a hiking trail. The last known contact with the Musalos was around noon on March 27th with a furniture salesman, and internet activity was noted on one of their computers into that night. Both Joan and her husband had been fatally shot. The couple was described as friendly, frugal, and quiet, enjoying activities like skiing and tennis and were even planning an upcoming trip to New York.
Despite the years that have passed, the double homicide of Joan and Albert Musalo remains an unsolved cold case. Law enforcement officials believe the couple was specifically targeted, but a clear motive has never been established. A significant piece of evidence left behind was the DNA of an unknown male found inside the house, indicating a suspect was present at the scene. The family, still seeking answers and justice, has offered a $35,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this baffling and brutal crime. The case continues to be one of northern Nevada's most perplexing unsolved mysteries.
