Female body found on Mt. Rose Highway believed to be that of missing Kings Beach woman

UPDATE August 19: The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the person who was found deceased along the Mt. Rose Highway on August 15 as Patricia Portella-Wright, 48, of Kings Beach, Calif. The manner of death was homicide. The Coroner said the cause of death was multiple sharp-force injuries. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the law enforcement investigation.

WASHOE COUNTY, Nev. - The Placer County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) said a body was found off the Mt. Rose Highway on Thursday that is believed to be Patricia Portella-Wright of Kings Beach. They said they are awaiting confirmation of the identification from the Washoe County Coroner's Office.

Ms. Portella-Wright was reported missing on Friday, August 9, 2024. She was last seen on the morning of Sunday, August 4th, 2024.

Through investigation, PCSO obtained information that led them to the area of the Mt. Rose Highway in Washoe County. Using a drone they were able to locate the body of a female down a steep embankment. With the help of Washoe County’s Search and Rescue team, they worked to recover the body. Mt Rose Highway was closed during the morning and will remain closed between Sunridge Dr. and Douglas Fir Dr. until the investigation is completed.

PCSO identified her boyfriend, Brent Clifford, as a person of interest in her disappearance. On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, Clifford was arrested in Portola, Calif. on murder charges after a male was found killed in Reno on Sunday. He has been booked into the Placer County jail.

This investigation involved several agencies. PCSO would like to thank the Reno Police Department, Plumas County Sheriff's Office, and Washoe County Sheriff's Office for their assistance.