25 females were murdered by males in Nevada in 1997
The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Nevada was 3.03 per 100,000 in 1997
Ranked 2nd highest in the United States
Age
Four female homicide victims (16 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 2 victims (8 percent) were 65 years of age or older.
Race and Ethnicity
Out of 25 female murder victims, 20 were white, 4 were black, and 1 was unknown. Under ethnic classification, none of the women were categorized as being of Hispanic origin.
Most Common Weapons
In cases in which the weapon used in the homicide could be identified (24 cases), nearly 6 out of 10 female homicide victims (14 victims or 58 percent) were shot and killed with guns. Nearly 9 out of 10 of these gun victims (12 victims or 86 percent) were killed with handguns. There were 5 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments and 4 killed by bodily force. The remainder of cases involved other non-firearm weapons.
Victim/Offender Relationship
In cases in which the relationship between the victim and the offender could be identified (22 cases), 9 out of 10 female victims (21 victims or 95 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Only 1 female victim was killed by a stranger. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 62 percent (13 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 13 female intimates murdered, 69 percent (9 victims) were killed with guns; 89 percent of these (8 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.
Circumstance
In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (20 cases), 90 percent (18 cases) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these cases, 28 percent (5 cases) involved arguments between the victim and offender.
