In the late hours of February 17th or the early morning of February 18th, 2023, Shella Huey, a 46-year-old Caucasian female, and her long-term boyfriend, Vincent Spoto, 65, were tragically killed in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple was discovered on February 20, 2023, in a makeshift structure where they lived behind an AutoZone on South Nellis Boulevard. Both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were found lying down, suggesting they may have been asleep when the attack occurred.
The Clark County coroner's office officially ruled their deaths as homicides, with Shella Huey having been shot in the head and neck, and Vincent Spoto in the head.
Shella was born in Phoenix and had spent time growing up in Colorado before living in Las Vegas intermittently. Her sister, Shirl Huey, described her as a "free bird" who was loved by everyone she met. She acknowledged that her sister had faced struggles, but emphasized that she was a human being who did not deserve such a violent end. Shella and Vincent had been together for over two decades, and her sister believes he was the love of her life. A poignant detail discovered near the scene was the phrase "Vince loves Bella" written on a wall.
Despite a relentless investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, no arrests have been made in the double homicide, and there are no publicly identified suspects. Investigators have pursued various leads and theories about the motive, but none have been substantiated. The police believe that there are people within the community, particularly among the unhoused population with whom the couple was known, who may have crucial information about the murders. In May 2023, law enforcement held a press conference, joined by Shella's sister, to plead with the public for any information that could help solve the case, expressing concern that it might otherwise go cold. The family continues to seek justice and closure in the face of this unsolved tragedy.
