Arrest in 2006 Mojave Preserve slaying

Henderson man arrested in 2006 slaying of man found in Mojave National Preserve

Desert Dispatch
The Associated Press

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — A 38-year-old Henderson man has been arrested in the slaying of a man whose body was found by hikers in the California desert in May 2006.

Henderson police say Shawn Pritchett was being held without bail pending a court appearance Wednesday on murder charges in the slaying of 47-year-old Lawrence Thomas of Henderson.

Thomas’ body was found in the Mojave National Preserve by a family of hikers near Cima and Excelsior Mine roads west of Interstate 15. According to a San Bernardino County Coroner’s report, Thomas died of blunt trauma, and investigators believe the victim died at another location and was later left at the Cima Road location.

Police say Pritchett was a friend and business partner of Thomas’ wife, Stephanie Thomas, who moved into the Thomas home after Lawrence Thomas disappeared.

Stephanie Thomas told investigators her husband left home with some belongings after an argument April 13, 2006.

Police say they later found evidence that Pritchett was in California when Lawrence Thomas disappeared.