UPDATE ON MARCH 17: 21-year-old Raymond Q. Lewis IV has been arrested for the murder of Geranique Bentley.
UPDATE ON MARCH 16: Las Vegas police have identified the female who was found burned at an apartment complex over the weekend as 20-year-old Geranique Bentley.
Westine Parks knew Bentley and said she had a feeling something was wrong after she hadn't seen the woman in days.
"When you see a person everyday and you've known them for the last three years, you just know," Parks said.
Police confirmed that Bentley did go by the nickname "Chicago," which Parks often called her.
Parks said she could immediately identify Bentley when she saw the sketch released by police just days ago.
"When I saw the sketch I just knew it," Parks said.
Parks said Bentley was homeless and met her because she frequented the area and often stayed in abandoned buildings nearby.
"When she wanted to talk I didn't shut her out," Parks said. "She always called me mom."
Parks is now hoping police will find her killer to bring Bentley justice.
"Get who did it. Get them off the streets because they didn't have to do that to her," Parks said.
UPDATE ON MARCH 15: 13 Action News Crime and Safety Expert and retired Las Vegas police Lt. Randy Sutton said even for seasoned homicide detectives, the emotion of a case like this makes them work that much harder to solve it.
The chances of solving a murder diminish as time continues to pass so to kickstart the investigation, police partnered with a church to meet with neighbors and just talk.
"It shows the human-ness and is a really good idea when it comes down to being flexible and being creative in crime solving," Sutton said.
Someone may have seen something significant and police won't find if they don't have a strong relationship with the community.
UPDATE MARCH 14: Police cosponsored an event with a local church to help comfort neighbors living on edge days after the burned body of a young woman was discovered.
Capt. Rich Fletcher oversees the Northwest Area Command.
"When you have a person willing to burn another person, that's a problem," he said.
Fletcher said this case is especially disturbing for all of the officers in his command.
"I have 150 officers right now," he said, "... waiting to make that arrest."
Neighbors said detectives have knocked on every single door in the complex seeking leads.
Pauline Chuckluck and her husband discovered the body Saturday morning, which she called "traumatizing."
"I wish I could've helped sooner," she said.
After viewing a police released sketch, friends said they believe they know the identity of the victim.
Police have not yet confirmed any information regarding the victim or suspect(s).
2ND UPDATE ON MARCH 13: Police have just released a sketch of what they believe the teen girl may look like. Anyone who recognizes her should contact the police.
The girl is believed to be between the ages of 16 and 20. She was a black female with a light complexion, 5-feet 4-inches tall, and approximately 100 pounds. Her hair was braided.
This is the 29th homicide so far this year in Las Vegas.
UPDATE ON MARCH 13: Police are still trying to figure out who killed and burned a teenage girl over the weekend.
People who lived in the apartment complex where she was found say they don't know her and the incident has made them afraid.
A small memorial marks the spot near a wall where the girl was found. The girl's name still has not been released by the Clark County coroner.
UPDATE AT 2 PM MARCH 11: Detectives say the burned body was a 14- to 18-year-old girl with braids in her hair. They believe she was killed before someone poured liquid over her body and set it on fire.
The motive for the crime is unknown. Police are still working to identify the body.
ORIGINAL STORY
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- Police are investigating Saturday afternoon after a burned body was found at an apartment complex near Washington Avenue and Rock Springs Drive.
Details are limited as police continue their investigation. More information to come.
Lt. Dan McGrath arrives on scene of homicide investigation. Awaiting more information. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/SJrEp1ZxUO
— Analise Ortiz (@AnaliseKTNV) March 11, 2017
