Kidnapped woman’s body recovered in Churchill County
The discovery of 18-year-old Naomi Irion’s body on Tuesday was confirmed on Wednesday evening by the Lyon and Churchill county sheriff’s offices.
Investigators from Churchill and Lyon responded to a remote part of Churchill County after receiving a tip on Irion’s disappearance.
They found a gravesite and contacted the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office forensics team to process the scene.
On Wednesday, the Washoe County Medical Examiner confirmed the remains found were those of Irion.
“We would like to extend our sympathy and condolences to the Irion family and thank all the volunteers for their hard work in trying to find Naomi and bring closure to the family,” both offices said. “The Churchill County Sheriff’s Office and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work closely on these cases.”
On Wednesday, Fallon resident Troy Driver, 41, appeared virtually in Canal Township Justice Court from where he’s being held in Yerington.
Driver was arrested on March 25 and the truck authorities had been searching for was impounded for evidence.
Prosecutors charged Driver with kidnapping, but the discovery of Irion’s body will certainly result in those charges being amended to include homicide.
Irion was abducted from the Fernley Walmart before dawn on March 12.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.
