Suspect identified in South Lake Tahoe murder

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 71-year-old local man has been arrested for the murder of his 65-year-old female roommate.

James Byron Cleveland was arrested by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) after they responded to a Carson Avenue residence on a call of an injured woman on Sunday, January 13, 2019.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was found with blunt force trauma injuries and transported to Barton Hospital, then transferred via helicopter to Renown Medical Center in Reno where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Cleveland allegedly hit the victim with a log and an eye witness called 911 at 2:33 p.m.

He was originally arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and those charges changed when the victim died.

According to Detective Sgt. Travis Cabral, the victim's name will not be released until the Washoe County Coroner notifies the next of kin. He also said this case does not appear to be connected to the two murder cases in nearby Douglas County.

Cleveland is in the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe on murder charges with no bail set.

There is no further information available as this is an active case and still being investigated.

If anyone has any information, please contact detectives at 530.542.6100 or Secret Witness 530.541.6800. Please refer to case number #1901-1279.