Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 1400081
Date Issued: Aug 22, 2014 - 9:15am

Sheriff's Detectives make arrest in Incline Village murder investigation

CONTACT: Bob Harmon
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-785-6235
Cell 775-722-5517

Washoe County Sheriff's Office Detectives arrested Joseph John Personeni, age 20, of Santa Rosa, California on one charge of Open Murder related to the December 22, 2013 death of Christopher Elliott in Incline Village.

Personeni was arrested without incident after turning himself in at the Washoe County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, August 21, 2014.

At approximately 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 22, 2013, Deputies from the Sheriff's Office Patrol Division responded to a report of a suspicious death on the 900 block of Northwood Boulevard in Incline Village. When Deputies arrived, they found a male adult identified as Christopher Elliott, age 46, deceased on the front porch of his residence.

According to investigators, Elliott and Personeni were known to each other and that an argument between the two escalated into a physical confrontation. After months of investigation by the Sheriff's Office and testing by the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office, the cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force trauma.

"We know that the Incline Village Community has had a great deal of interest in this case and are pleased to report that an arrest has been made and the case can now proceed through the justice system," Undersheriff Tim Kuzanek said.

Detectives continue to gather evidence in this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Detective Division at (775) 328-3320 or call Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.


The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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