Theresa Elizabeth Insana

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (NV)

Missing From:

Las Vegas, Nevada

Summary:

At 5:45pm, Theresa called her mother to talk. She mentioned being tired, and told her mom she was going to eat her dinner (mac and cheese) and go to bed. They hang up at 6:30pm. This is the last time anyone hears from Theresa. At 7:30pm, a close family member calls Theresa, but no answer.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

Disappearance On October 27, 2004, Theresa didn’t show up to work. A co-worker of Theresa’s, stopped by her house and knocked. In police reports, the co-worker stated the house was completely dark and she did not hear Frankie (the dog) barking. On the morning of October 28, Theresa once again does not show up for work and her coworkers notify Jeff. Jeff, another male, and Theresa’s best friend go to Theresa’s house. Jeff reportedly did not have a key and after realizing the front door was locked, they went over the wall into the backyard to the sliding glass door that was unlocked. After taking a few steps in the house, Jeff did not want to proceed or touch anything in case he “found something”. All three exited Theresa’s house and called 911. Police arrived and found Theresa’s keys, cell phone, purse, wallet and Frankie (with dog feces all throughout) inside the house and her 4-door 2003 Hyundai Sonata in the garage, but no Theresa. Police decided to then contact homicide and began canvassing the neighbors as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) brought in bloodhounds and started a volunteer and mounted search party. Theresa’s parents were notified of Theresa’s disappearance and travelled to Las Vegas to help with the search.

Additional Details:

Discovery of Theresa On Monday November 1, 2004, while construction workers used an excavator to remove dirt and debris from a culvert, they discovered an unidentified and unfamiliar object, wrapped up in blankets and towels. After cutting open a small portion to see what it was, they called 911. Theresa had finally been found. Theresa’s body was found in standing water in a culvert 3.5 miles from her Summerlin house (Peace Way and Hualapai), near a golf course. Theresa’s parents were notified by the coroner’s office to verify Theresa’s tattoos (moon and stars on her left shoulder). Once verified, her father went to personally ID the body on the behalf of the family. According to autopsy reports, Theresa’s cause of death was ligature strangulation and blunt force trauma. She was also sexually assaulted and beaten all over her body with extensive injuries and lacerations to her face, torso, and genitalia, as well as a bloody nose, collapsed lungs, and hyoid bone fracture. Moreover, there were skin burns across her body signifying she had been dragged across the carpet. There were no broken bones, but there was bleeding in the brain and trachea. Autopsy reports further suggested that there weren’t any injuries consistent with a fall, indicating that she was carried down to the culvert instead of dumped. If you know anything about the death of Theresa Insana, please call the LVMPD Homicide Section at (702) 828-3521, or e-mail them at homicide@lvmpd.com. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers of Nevada at 702-385-5555.

Case Last Updated:

May 30, 2025