Nevada insurance examiner’s body believed found bound in river

LAS VEGAS – Nevada authorities believe a violent struggle with intruders in his apartment led to the death of the state’s chief insurance examiner, whose body was apparently found Saturday wrapped in a blanket and bound with duct tape in the Carson River.

Carson City Sheriff’s deputies said that they are still waiting for the cause of death and identification to be officially confirmed, but investigators believe the body found by searchers is William McCune, who disappeared last week.

Four suspects were arrested over the weekend, authorities said.

Michael Evans, 23, was taken into custody in Carson City. Anthony Elliot, 20, Raul Garcia, 22, and Makyla Blackmore, 20, were arrested on the Strip on Saturday. Evans and Elliot have been charged with murder and the others with burglary.

“We have a team in Las Vegas and they will be delivering the suspects back to Carson City, probably tomorrow,” Carson City Asst. Sheriff Ray Saylo told the Los Angeles Times. “We believe the murder was robbery related.”

Saylo told The Times that investigators suspected foul play after finding evidence Thursday of a bloody, violent struggle in McCune’s apartment in Carson City. The 62-year-old McCune failed to board a flight with a co-worker and other employees, prompting deputies to check his apartment.

Acting on a tip, the sheriff’s search and rescue team found the body, which had been wrapped in a blanket, he said.

McCune had been insurance examiner since December 2009. His job involved ensuring the solvency of insurance companies in the state.

McCune was single and without any known children, and there was no forced entry at his home. Officials said they were trying to establish whether the victim knew his killers.

Investigators believe the killing had nothing to do with McCune’s employment.

“There appears to be no information associating this event to Mr. McCune’s employment,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “At this time, interviews and evidence is beginning to suggest that the possible motive was theft driven by illegal drug use.”

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john.glionna@latimes.com