In the quiet town of Fallon, Nevada, the afternoon of April 20, 2015, was shattered by a tragic event at the Churchill County Cemetery. Kathy Small, a 50-year-old woman, met with her 63-year-old ex-husband, Larry Loran Small, under circumstances that would end in her untimely death. The two had arranged to meet at the cemetery, and it was reported that Kathy willingly entered Larry's vehicle.
The motive for their meeting remains unclear, but it ended in the most violent way imaginable.
At approximately 3 p.m., Larry Small shot Kathy in the back of the head with a. 22-caliber firearm. A bottle of Black Velvet whiskey, which belonged to Kathy, was later found at the scene. Following the fatal shooting, Larry fled the cemetery in his truck, heading north on U.S. Highway 95.
After the murder, Larry Small contacted his sister and confessed to what he had done, also stating his intention to take his own life. His sister promptly alerted the authorities, which allowed the Churchill County Sheriff's Office to begin tracking his location by pinging his phone. Nevada Highway Patrol troopers were able to intercept Larry's vehicle near mile marker 168, west of Winnemucca.
As troopers approached, Larry pulled his truck onto an overpass and stopped. Before law enforcement could make contact, he died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Although troopers attempted to render first aid, their efforts were unsuccessful. The case concluded with the death of the sole suspect, leaving a community to mourn the loss of Kathy Small.
