By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-14 16:52:41 | Updated at 2024-11-27 13:48:58
1 week ago
A transgender woman has been arrested for allegedly killing her elderly roommate with fentanyl-laced cocaine and then stowing her body in a freezer for two weeks.
Monique Gilbertson, 68, was found dead in her Las Vegas mobile home on November 6 after police carried out a welfare check.
Jazlynn Roush, born Daniel Roush, told investigators she had found Gilbertson dead at the dining room table with drugs nearby in late October, according an arrest report obtained by KTNV.
Roush, 37, claimed she then moved Gilbertson's body to the freezer while she tried to work out what to do about the situation. She also claimed the elderly woman liked taking cocaine and opiates.
But Roush's wife told police Gilbertson overdosed right in front of Roush, whom she claims sold the woman the fentanyl-laced line of cocaine.
Cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, a digital scale and a razor were also discovered during a search of the property.
Roush was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center. She appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.
Roush's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for November 27.
Monique Gilbertson, 68, was found dead in her Las Vegas mobile home on November 6 after police carried out a welfare check. It is suspected that she overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine, although the coroner's Office has not yet released the official cause of her death
Jazlynn Roush, born Daniel Roush, appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. Police suspect that Roush sold Gilbertson the drugs that killed her and then stuffed her body into a freezer
Roush and Gilbertson met during a Home Depot shopping trip and after engaging in some small talk, the 68-year-old invited her to move in, the arrest warrant stated.
Although Roush helped with chores, Gilbertson reportedly started complaining after her new roommate within a week of her moving in, citing concerns about cleanliness, drug paraphernalia and her own items disappearing.
Las Vegas police officers were called to the Tres Piedras Road residence just before noon on November 6 after receiving a request for a welfare check.
The caller alleged that they had not heard from Gilbertson since October 22.
When officers spoke with Roush during the welfare check, she claimed that she found Gilbertson dead in the home - but could not recall the exact date this allegedly occurred.
She said she suspected Gilbertson had taken drugs, according to the report.
'I put her in the icebox because I didn't know what to do,' Roush told police. 'Until I could figure it out, I had her in the icebox.'
Police observed several inconsistencies in her story, with Roush first claiming she found Gilbertson's dead at the dining room table. She then said she found her body in a completely different room.
Blood was also found near the freezer, police told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Las Vegas police officers were called to Gilbertson's Tres Piedras Road residence just before noon on November 6 after receiving a request for a welfare check. The caller alleged that they had not heard from Gilbertson since October 22
Roush's wife was also questioned by police. She first denied ever having met Gilbertson, but later admitted that she had come to the Tres Pierdras residence to 'hang out and do drugs.'
At she claimed to be unaware that Roush had stored Gilbertson's body in a freezer, but once again changed her story, claiming to have known about it for at least four days.
She also told police Roush had admitted to selling Gilbertson the narcotics that killed her and witnessed the overdose. Roush has denied this allegations.
Investigators believe that Roush continued to live in Gilbertson's residence for about two weeks after her death.
Police say Roush expressed regret for not immediately reporting the death.
The Clark County Coroner's Office has not yet released the official cause and manner of Gilbertson's death.
