Nevada man suspected of killing his first wife sentenced in second wife's death

LAS VEGAS (TCD) -- A Henderson man accused of killing his first wife was sentenced to prison this week after pleading guilty to killing his second wife in 2019.

Clark County court records show Alan Sylwester was sentenced Wednesday, Aug. 3, and KLAS-TV reports he faces 14 to 45 years in prison for the death of Karen Byer. He reportedly entered the guilty plea of second-degree murder in court Wednesday.

According to Henderson Police, on March 4, 2019, at 8 a.m., officers received a call about an unresponsive 63-year-old woman on the 100 block of Caminito Amore. Investigators reportedly suspected foul play, and days later, the Clark County Coroner's Office determined she died by homicide. Sylwester was taken into custody March 14, 2019, on a charge of open murder.

Byer was found naked in the master bedroom, KLAS reports. Investigators reportedly found handcuffs and lubricant on her nightstand.

KTNV-TV reports detectives noticed marks and bruises on Byer's body, and the coroner said she died from asphyxiation. Sylwester, however, argued the bruises were from "rough sex."

According to the Las Vegas Sun, Byer's death has some similarities to Sylwester's first wife's death. Laura Gilliom was reportedly found dead March 29, 2011, in Livermore, California. Sylwester was never charged in the case, but he is reportedly still considered a suspect in her death, which was ruled a homicide.

The Las Vegas Sun reports Gilliom died from an overdose of anti-depressants, but the coroner also found "suspicious" marks on her body. Sylwester also allegedly said the bruises and markings on her arms were from rough sex.

MORE:

• State of Nevada vs Alan Sylwester
• Suspect Arrested in Homicide Investigation, 5/16/2019 - Henderson Police Department
• Henderson man sentenced in murder of second wife - KLAS
• Report: Henderson man’s wives died under similar circumstances - KTNV
• Case of Henderson man accused of killing wife raises questions of previous wife’s death, 5/19/2019 - Las Vegas Sun