Two arrested in Bruneau in connection with murder investigation

Two people remain in custody at the Owyhee County Jail following their arrests in Bruneau in connection with a homicide investigation out of Nevada.

Joseph C. Forrest and Trinity A. Thomas, both from Nevada, face charges of torturing and murdering a man in addition to stealing his vehicle.

The investigation began the evening of May 10 after the Elko County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a person who discovered the man’s body near Osino, Nev. Authorities identified the victim as Carlos Aguilar-Duran, 31, from West Wendover, Nev.

Aguilar-Duran’s body was then sent to the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy. Due to the circumstances of his death, detectives from the sheriff's office in Elko County began a homicide investigation.

During their investigation, deputies received some tips that indicated Forrest and Thomas had fled to Bruneau. The Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Elko and Elmore County Sheriff’s Offices, conducted a search of the town where they located and arrested Thomas on Hyde Street.

A short time later, authorities found Forrest hiding in a home on the same street with deputies from the Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office taking him into custody. Law enforcement officials then located and recovered the murder victim's stolen vehicle, which they turned over to the Elko County Sheriff's Office as part of the investigation.

In a post shared on social media, officials with the Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office extended their gratitude to members of the Idaho State Police, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Elko County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service for their help in canvassing the area in the Bruneau area as well as apprehending both suspects.

People who have additional information regarding this case are asked to call the Elko County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (775) 748-1684.