“Following this afternoon’s arraignment of Delshay Astor on charges of second-degree murder, I first want to acknowledge the profound loss suffered by the family, friends, and loved ones of Anna Scott. More than four years have passed since Anna’s life was taken, yet the pain of her absence remains. While today’s proceedings cannot undo that loss or erase the grief carried by those who knew and loved her, we hope they represent a meaningful step toward accountability and justice in her memory.
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of everyone involved in this investigation, express my gratitude to our federal law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, and reaffirm to the Washoe County community our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice, regardless of the time, complexity, or resources required.
The pursuit of justice does not end when a case grows cold or years pass without answers. We remain steadfast in our responsibility to victims, their families, and our community to continue seeking the truth, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring that no case is forgotten. Today’s proceedings serve as a reminder that persistence, collaboration, and dedication can move even the most challenging investigations forward.
Over four years ago, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service that forever changed the lives of the family and friends of Anna Scott. Anna was a mother, a daughter, and a cherished member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe when her life was taken in a brutal act of violence.
No court proceeding, arrest, or conviction can ever erase the pain, sorrow, and profound emptiness left by Anna’s loss. Nothing can restore the years her loved ones spent grieving, nor fill the void created by her absence. While justice can never replace what was taken from them, it remains an important step toward accountability.
Since the day of her murder, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, working in partnership with the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office, has remained steadfast in its commitment to seeking justice for Anna. We never forgot, and we never gave up on that mission. Today’s arraignment reflects those efforts and our unwavering dedication to this case. We hope these proceedings provide at least a small measure of closure for Anna’s family and friends and help them continue their journey toward healing.
These investigations are among the most complex and challenging cases pursued by law enforcement. They often require years of dedicated work, the coordination of multiple agencies, the careful examination of evidence, and countless investigative hours. Throughout this process, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the United States Attorney’s Office remained committed to uncovering the facts, holding those responsible accountable, and seeking justice for Anna Scott.
Today’s arraignment reflects the persistence, professionalism, and collaboration of the investigators, prosecutors, and support personnel who refused to let this case go unresolved. Some of those dedicated professionals are standing with me here today, led by the efforts of Washoe County Sheriff’s Office case lead Detective Sgt. Almaraz and co-case Special Agents with the FBI. Their collective efforts demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of justice, regardless of the time and resources required.
Again, the arraignment today would not have been possible without strong partnerships, and I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Chris Delzotto and the dedicated men and women of the FBI who worked tirelessly in support of this investigation. I’d also like to thank First Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Nevada Sigal Chattah and Assistant United States Attorney Penelope Brady for their leadership, partnership, and commitment to pursuing this case. Their professionalism and dedication have been instrumental in advancing this matter through the federal judicial system.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to providing the investigative support, resources, and partnership necessary to ensure justice is pursued on behalf of Anna Scott, her family, and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal community. As this case moves forward, we will continue to work alongside our federal partners to support a judicial process that is carried out with integrity, diligence, and respect for the rule of law.
Nationally, Native Americans and indigenous peoples are victims of violent crimes more than double the national average. Washoe County, with its three Native American tribal communities, is not immune to the same violence that we see nationally. While the Sheriff’s Office routinely partners with our local tribal police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, we will always seek additional ways to ensure our tribal populations are safe. That is why, upon hearing of the Department of the Interior’s efforts to stand up an Indian Country Violent Crime Task Force, I directed my office to seek ways to join that task force and ensure we continue our efforts to eliminate violent crime in our tribal communities. I want to be clear that the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office will always be a strong law enforcement partner with our state and local tribal communities.” – Sheriff Darin Balaam
