Las Vegas Journalist Found Dead in Storage Container; Suspect Dies in Fiery Utah Crash

In a tragic sequence of events, freelance journalist Matthew Kelemen, 56, known for his contributions to Las Vegas Magazine, was found dead in a storage container in downtown Las Vegas. The primary suspect, identified as 63-year-old Joseph Del Rivo, later died in a fiery car crash during a police pursuit in Utah.

Discovery of the Body

On May 20, employees at a luggage storage business on North 3rd Street reported a foul odor emanating from a large container. Upon investigation, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers discovered Kelemen’s body wrapped in a tarp inside the container. The container had been dropped off on May 16, and the business utilized a mobile app for customer transactions, aiding police in tracing the suspect.

Suspect Identified and Pursuit

Investigators identified Del Rivo, Kelemen’s roommate, as the primary suspect. Del Rivo had reportedly fled Nevada and was later spotted in Utah. On May 20, Utah Highway Patrol officers initiated a high-speed chase after observing Del Rivo speeding on Interstate 70 near milepost 30 in Sevier County. The pursuit ended tragically when Del Rivo’s vehicle crashed and caught fire, resulting in his death.

Background and Ongoing Investigation

Kelemen had expressed discomfort about his living situation prior to his death. Authorities believe the murder occurred in mid-May, with Del Rivo allegedly transporting and abandoning the body in the storage container. The investigation is ongoing, with police examining the circumstances leading up to the incident.

This case underscores the importance of community vigilance and the role of technology in modern investigations. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.