Transient arrested on charges of homicide after woman found deceased in tent near Home Depot

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred near the Home Depot store on Jacks Valley Road.

On Friday, November 6 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) dispatch received a 911 call about a dead body in a tent located just east of the Home Depot store.

Upon arrival they found Melissa Ann Riley, 55-years-old, deceased. She was a transient from Carson City who was temporarily living in a tent near the store. Kenneth Allen Hayes, a 64-year-old transient, was arrested at the scene by DCSO and charged with open murder.

Hayes was living in tent with Riley. He was also charged with failing to register as a convicted sex offender.

Hayes is in the Douglas County Jail on a no-bail hold and is scheduled to appear in the East Fork Justice Court on Monday November 9, 2020.

Anyone with information on this homicide is asked to contact Investigator Nadine Chrzanowski at (775) 782-9905.