LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — After more than a year in the custody of Mexican authorities, and nearly five years after his initial disappearance, Erick Rangel-Ibarra appeared in a Las Vegas court in connection to the death of Lesly Palacio.
The Palacio family faced an emotional day in court as the man accused of Lesly's murder requested a one-week continuation to explore the possibility of hiring a private attorney. He is expected to return to court next week.
WATCH | Erick Rangel-Ibarra makes first courtroom appearance
Rangel-Ibarra was extradited to the United States last Thursday. Due to an extradition treaty with Mexico, prosecutors cannot pursue the death penalty in his case.
Wednesday's hearing was scheduled as his arraignment — the formal reading of charges — but it was delayed by a week after Rangel-Ibarra indicated that his family may wish to hire a private attorney.
Inside the courtroom, Palacio’s family came face-to-face with Rangel-Ibarra for the first time since 2020. In an interview with Channel 13 in 2021, Lesly’s sister, speaking through tears, recalled the pain the family has endured.
“You don’t know the pain that you caused me and my family. I hate you with all of my life,” she said.
Palacio, 22, was last seen alive on Aug. 29, 2020, leaving a local casino with Rangel-Ibarra by her side, according to surveillance video released by police. The next day, her family reported her missing. Just over a week later, her body was discovered in the desert near the Valley of Fire State Park on Sept. 9, 2020.
Disturbing video evidence shared with Channel 13 showed Rangel-Ibarra and his father, Jose Rangel, moving a body from their home in the early morning hours of Aug. 29, 2020. Jose initially claimed Palacio died from an overdose, but later admitted to helping dispose of her body. Jose was arrested, pleaded guilty to helping cover up the crime and served less than a year in prison.
Authorities say Rangel-Ibarra fled to Mexico shortly after the killing. He was arrested there in July 2024 and after nearly a year of legal proceedings, he was extradited back to Las Vegas.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson emphasized that prosecutors will pursue justice.
“He’s a man accused of murder. I don’t care what his citizenship is. The evidence shows that he committed this crime of murder. The burden is on us to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt — but where he’s a citizen from or not is not relevant," Wolfson said.
The cause of Palacio's death was ruled undetermined by the Clark County coroner. Still, authorities determined she was the victim of homicide based on the circumstances of the case.
Rangel-Ibarra is charged with open murder and destroying evidence. His arraignment has been rescheduled for next Thursday.
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