Retired veteran’s home in Henderson repeatedly vandalized, suspect arrested

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A retired veteran said his Henderson home has been repeatedly vandalized over the past six months, and although police have arrested a suspect in the case, he has no idea why it happened.

“This wall,” Larry Utter described. “He threw paint against this wall.”

Utter told 8newsnow.com that he had had a rough six months as he walked around his house.

“It was depressing,” said Utter. “To see the house so destroyed.”

The retired Air Force veteran said his home has been vandalized more than a dozen times by a single person since January.

“Both windows here were covered in paint,” Utter explained, referring to his front bedroom window.

Utter said the exterior of his property has been covered with white paint, rocks and human feces on several occasions. At one point, garbage was even set on fire in his driveway, he said.

“It was very annoying,” said Utter. “Very disheartening.”

On Wednesday, Henderson police arrested 51-year-old Keith Duane Murrey in connection with the case.

Murrey now faces 17 charges, including first-degree arson, stalking and criminal damage to property. Utter said he never met the defendant and doesn’t know why he was allegedly targeted. But as he began to clean up his property, he told 8 News Now his shock and frustration turned to gratitude.

“Suddenly the neighbors came,” said Utter. “They said we would help them with whatever they needed.”

He said a local company offered to pressure wash his driveway and a Henderson Police Department crew came by to paint and repair his house for free.

“Bad things happen to people,” Utter said. “But there are good people who will come and take care of you.”

What began as a sad story has become a prime example of the power of the Southern Nevada community to come together and create change.

“Out of everything bad comes something good,” concluded Utter.

Records show Murray is scheduled to make his first court appearance at 8:30 a.m. Friday.