On March 28, 2023, through an investigation led by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 39-year-old Todd Tonnochy as the suspect in the death of 18-year-old Hailey Nieto.
The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the death of Hailey Nieto was caused by a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was homicide.
On March 23, 2023, at approximately 6:00 pm, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call of suspicious circumstances on the dirt extension of North Virginia Street between Red Rock Road and White Lake Parkway. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found a deceased person, later identified as Hailey Nieto.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives were notified and arrived on scene to take over the investigation. In addition, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Investigation Section (FIS) Criminalists and the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded to conduct their respective investigations.
Detectives completed their on-scene investigation with the collaborative efforts of Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Hasty Team, RAVEN Drone Unit, and Incident Management Team.
Through continued investigation by Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives, they identified Todd Tonnochy as a suspect. Further information developed by detectives led them to believe that the suspect, Tonnochy, fled the Reno area shortly after Nieto’s death.
On March 27, 2023, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office requested the support of the U.S. Marshals to assist in apprehending Tonnochy.
On March 28, 2023, the U.S. Marshals, with the assistance of the Midland County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and SWAT team, successfully located Tonnochy at a motel in Midland, Texas, where they took him into custody.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives say there are no outstanding suspects in this case, and they would like to thank the members of the public who provided tips and information.
Sheriff Darin Balaam said, “On behalf of the members of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Hailey’s family, friends, and loved ones.”
Sheriff Balaam added, “I am extremely proud of the tenacity of the men and women of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office for their diligent work on this case. This could not have happened without the swift collaboration and assistance from our partners with the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, the United States Marshal’s Lonestar Fugitive Task Force, the Midland County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and SWAT team, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division.”
