A Las Vegas woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a casket from a funeral home and dumping human remains outside the building. The woman, 47-year-old Patricia Sierra, was arrested after a surveillance video showed her breaking into the Affordable Cremation and Burial Service on August 27, 2024, and stealing a casket with a body still inside.
The remains, identified as belonging to a woman in her sixties, were discovered lying facedown on landscaping rocks in front of the funeral home around 3 a.m. that morning. Police responded to the scene and immediately began investigating the theft and desecration of the body.
Authorities were able to identify Sierra after a convenience store customer recognized her from a police description and contacted authorities. When questioned, Sierra reportedly admitted to being the person captured on surveillance footage but claimed she blacked out after consuming six beers. She told police she had no memory of the incident, citing her struggle with substance abuse.
Sierra is now facing charges of grand larceny, burglary, and disturbing human remains. She expressed regret during police questioning, stating that she was not attempting to be malicious. Her bail was set at $11,000, and she is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on September 18, 2024.
The shocking crime has left many in the community concerned about the security of funeral homes and the proper handling of deceased individuals. The Las Vegas Police Department is continuing its investigation into the case.
