WANTED for the Murder of Valentyna Kram: JAIME ALBARRAN

51/44
WANTED for the Murder of Valentyna Kram: JAIME ALBARRAN
Originally uploaded by Nana Sainton

One of the large billboards in Pahrump that kept Jaime Albarran's face in front of those who might some day see him again. Albarran was killed in Mexico last November.

By MARK SMITH AND GINA B. GOOD PVT
HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT
Jaime Albarran, the only designated suspect in the December 2008 murder of convenience store clerk Valentyna Kram, was killed in Mexico last fall, the Nye County Sheriff's Office reported yesterday.

According to a press release from Sheriff Tony DeMeo's office, "The Nye County Sheriff's Office was informed in November 2009 that the suspect was killed in Mexico but waited for valid documentation."

Supplying the confirmatory information was the U.S. Marshals Service, which had been working with the sheriff's office and Mexican law enforcement authorities in the investigation.

A videotape of the December 2008 fatal attack on Kram showed Albarran entering the convenience store, spending less than two minutes there, and then leaving by vehicle.

He was not seen in this area thereafter.

Large billboards displaying a large photograph of his face were erected in at least two places around Pahrump.

The Marshals Service followed up initial reports of his death with contacts to government officials and others in Mexico. The upshot was a certified death certificate from Mexican officials "stating that Jaime Albarran died Nov. 26, 2009, in Mexico."

"He met his fate on the streets of Mexico," said DeMeo, who added that more documentation and information surrounding Albarran's death will be forthcoming through official channels.

"This is not public information in Mexico like it is in the states," DeMeo explained. "It's hard to get."

"The Assistant Chief of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in Las Vegas and his entire organization were extremely helpful to us," said DeMeo in an interview Thursday.

"We had to use a lot of resources and there was a lot of effort made on our behalf in Mexico by the USMS. We've known for some time that Jaime was in Mexico, but we didn't want to tip our hand. We were hoping he would come back to the U.S., but as far as we know he never did.

"We would much rather have him here in Pahrump, in the justice system and where his family could see him. But at least now Valentyna's husband can have some closure.

"We never forgot Valentyna, just like we will never forget Maureen Fields. This is a small community, and these people are like family to us."

Fields disappeared in 2006 and was recently declared dead in court. No suspect has ever been arrested in that case.

DeMeo also expressed his thanks for their efforts in assisting the sheriff's office to Ron Murphy Construction, High Impact Signs, Olympia Outdoor Media, Clear Channel Media and Lamar Media.

Kram, 54, had recently married. She was working alone at the DC Travel Center at the corner of Highway 160 and Mesquite Avenue when Albarran murdered her. She had worked there for only three weeks.

Albarran was 22 at the time, and a resident of Pahrump. His brother reportedly tried to obstruct deputies and was briefly arrested but released without charges.