Body of Boy Found at Casino Near Border Identified

The body of a boy found underneath a trailer at a desert casino on the California-Nevada border was officially identified Thursday as that of 7-year-old Alexander Harris of Mountain View, Calif.

The Clark County coroner’s office conducted an autopsy on the body Thursday, but Las Vegas Metro Police Capt. Paul Conner declined to comment on the results. He said the results of the autopsy were being withheld pending further laboratory tests.

Conner called a news conference to confirm the identity of the body, but refused to comment on the cause of death or other circumstances surrounding the case.

“I’m not going to comment on any phase of the investigation,” Conner said. He said to do so could jeopardize the investigation.

Criminal Homicide

The case is being treated as a criminal homicide, Conner said.

The boy was last seen leaving a video arcade at Whiskey Pete’s casino, a desert gambling spot 50 miles southwest of Las Vegas, the morning of Nov. 27.

Conner said the body was fully clothed when found Wednesday and the boy had not been sexually assaulted.

“Although we cannot say conclusively, it is highly probable that the victim was at the location where he was found since the time of his death,” Conner said.

The body was discovered lying face down in the dirt underneath a trailer 200 yards from the casino. The body was hidden from view and was spotted by a maintenance man working in a mobile home park provided for Whiskey Pete’s employees.

The body was found under the trailer of casino hotel manager Jerry Mabe, police said. The executive is not considered a suspect in the case and authorities believe that the boy’s body was placed there at random.

Number of Leads

Conner said investigation of the case was continuing and a number of leads were being pursued.

The boy’s mother, Roxanne Harris, has been staying in Las Vegas with a relative since the monthlong ordeal began. She had been visiting relatives in Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving holidays and had stopped at the popular desert casino on her return trip to California.

Mrs. Harris has been separated from the boy’s father, Thomas Rogers, for nearly four years. Rogers, who lives in San Diego, was contacted by federal authorities shortly after the boy was abducted and was ruled out as a suspect.

A backhoe was used to lift the trailer so police could examine the spot where the boy was found.

The boy was last seen with a man about 35 years old. Witnesses said the boy did not put up a struggle as he walked out with his abductor.