Naomi Irion case: Missing teen allegedly kidnapped from Walmart found dead in remote gravesite
03/31/2022 9:34 am PDT
LYON COUNTY, Nev. (TCD) -- The body of a missing woman who was reportedly kidnapped from a Walmart parking lot earlier this month has been found in a remote gravesite.
The Churchill County and Lyon County Sheriff's Offices released a joint statement Wednesday, March 30, to announce they located Naomi Irion. According to the statement, on March 29, a tip sent investigators to a "possible gravesite" in a remote area of Churchill County, where they found an adult woman's body. The Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the body was that of Irion the next day.
Irion was reported missing March 13, at 11:25 p.m. to the Lyon County Sheriff's Office. The 18-year-old was last seen at 5 a.m. the day prior in the Walmart parking lot in Fernley, Nevada, according to a Sheriff's Office statement. Her disappearance was reportedly deemed "suspicious in nature," and a search for both Irion and her car began.
Investigators located her car March 15 in an industrial part of Fernley. The Lyon County Sheriff's Office said they found evidence to suggest her "disappearance is criminal in nature." Video footage reportedly showed a man getting into her car with Naomi in the passenger seat.
On March 25, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office announced they arrested 41-year-old Troy Driver in connection with Irion's disappearance. According to the criminal complaint cited by KRNV/KRXI-TV, investigators say Driver "did abduct Naomi Irion and did hold or detain her for the purpose of committing sexual assault and/or for the purpose of killing her."
He was booked into the Lyon County Jail on $750,000 bond.
KRNV reports Driver previously served time in prison for his role in a 1997 murder.
MORE:
- Joint Press Release - Churchill County Sheriff's Office and Lyon County Sheriff's Office
- Press Release, 3/15/2022 - Lyon County Sheriff's Office
- Press Release Update, 3/16/2022 - Lyon County Sheriff's Office
- Missing Person/Suspicious Circumstances, 3/15/2022 - Lyon County Sheriff's Office
- Press Release, 3/25/2022 - Lyon County Sheriff's Office
- Body of 18-year-old Naomi Irion found in remote area of Churchill County - KRNV/KRXI
- Naomi Irion kidnapping suspect Troy Driver served prison time for role in 1997 murder - KRNV/KRXI