Lexis Roberts -- Found Deceased 10/8/10, Suellen Roberts -- Found Deceased 11/15/10

Relatives of slain Las Vegas girl grieve, lament lost opportunities

Nov. 12, 2010


Mary Woodburn, whose granddaughter, Lexis Roberts, was found dead in Louisiana last month, and whose daughter, Suellen Roberts is missing, looks over family photos and missing person fliers Thursday at her Las Vegas home.

She almost stayed home.

Lexis Kaye Roberts, 12, wasn't feeling well on Sept. 4, the day her mother was to take her to Arizona for a weekend outing.

Her mouth was sore because her braces had been tightened that week. Moreover, she didn't care much for Steve Sanders, her mom's new boyfriend. He had also been invited.

"She had reservations (about the trip)," recalled her grandmother, Mary Woodburn. "She was complaining about not feeling good, and I asked her to stay with me if she didn't want to go. But her mother said, 'I made the plans for you, so let's just stick to them.' "

That was the last time Woodburn saw her granddaughter alive.

Read more:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/relatives-of-slain-las-vegas-girl-grieve--lament-lost-opportunities-107437348.html

FBI fugitive possibly spotted in Sabine Parish

The Associated Press
Posted Nov 12, 2010 @ 03:54 PM

Florien, La. —

A Florien woman may have spotted Thomas Steven Sanders, the man wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection to the kidnapping and murder of a 12-year-old Nevada girl, whose remains were found in Louisiana.

On Thursday, Nov. 4 at 5:18 p.m., a Florien woman notified the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Dept. that she saw Sanders on the news and that he fit the description of a man who tried to lure her 10-year-old daughter in his truck last week.

The local woman, who lives on Plainview Road, told local detectives that the man was driving an older model white truck with numerous five gallon buckets in the back. She said it looked like diesel had been spilled down the sides of the truck.

The concerned mother said she had notified Florien school, who in turn advised the bus driver. The bus driver, according to local detectives, said that he noticed a truck parked at Prewitt Chapel Church behind the sign for several days, and when the bus passed, the truck would follow it.

All parish and local units have been notified and faxed copies of Sanders’ photo.

Reports of a sighting in Zwolle were also fielded by Sabine Parish detectives.

Read more: http://www.leesvilledailyleader.com/news/x1615402086/FBI-fugitive-possibly-spotted-in-Sabine-Parish

I hope they are closing in on him! If it's not Sanders, there's another freak on the loose. I wonder if he is even aware yet that Lexis was found and he's a wanted man. This truck sounds pretty easy to spot, hopefully we'll hear soon that they've got him.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!! BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

FBI: Man once thought dead arrested in kidnapping

By HOLBROOK MOHR, Associated Press
Sun Nov 14, 5:32 pm ET

JACKSON, Miss. – A man who was declared legally dead 16 years ago in Mississippi was arrested Sunday in the kidnapping of a slain Las Vegas girl whose body was found in the woods of central Louisiana, the FBI said.

FBI spokeswoman Sheila Thorne said Thomas Steven Sanders was arrested early Sunday at a truck stop in Gulfport, Miss. The arrest capped a massive manhunt in a bizarre case that stretched across the country.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_declared_dead_charges

Thank God they finally caught the freak before he could hurt anybody else. I'm not too optimistic about Suellen's fate since it doesn't appear she was with him when he was arrested.

They got the #*#***## Thank God, The Louisianna FBI and Americas Most Wanted who did a spot on HIM Saturday Night. The family is feeling better as are all of us involved and emotionally vested in this case. Now if they can break him into telling where his other Victims are ( most of us believe he is a serial killer and other victims are out there )

Because of the video at wal mart buying the ammo, he should go down for Murder in the first....

Thank every one who has acted to help on this case...

Silence

Great news!

Glad to hear this! Now, let's hope he tells what happened to Suellen~

I'd go as far to say that I doubt Lexis was this monster's first victim. His behaviour and ability to disappear goes back too many years. I hope he will tell where Suellen is...

Body of slain girl's mom found after 'dead' man's arrest

Suspect held on kidnapping charge had lived under radar for 16 years

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Authorities on Monday discovered the body of a woman believed to be the missing mother of a girl found dead in Louisiana.

Sheriff's officials say the possible remains of 31-year-old Suellen Roberts were found in a remote area off Interstate 40 in northwestern Arizona.

Thomas Steven Sanders was arrested in Mississippi on Sunday in the kidnapping of Roberts' daughter, 12-year-old Lexis Roberts. The girl's skeleton was found by hunters last month in Louisiana.

Authorities say the trio had been spotted in northern Arizona over Labor Day weekend.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40196134/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

At least they have both been found and the perp is in jail. May justice come swiftly for Suellen and Lexis~

Thanks J4A for the update.

I second Sherry's comment.

Saying a prayer for Suellen and her family

Not sure what else to say right now. He killed her first, she couldn't protect her child.

If he killed Suellen first, do you think poor little Lexis witnessed it? OMG I hope not!

This story left me with chills when I read of the National Parks link. In February 1999 a woman, her daughter, and a teen family friend disappeared while visiting Yosemite. Between February and March the bodies of all three females had been discovered. A motel handyman was later questioned and released. In July 1999 another woman, a Park Naturalist was murdered. And what the hell?!! You guessed it, that same creepy handyman was arrested and confessed to all four murders. LE had him once, but they didn't know it. This guy had a taste for killing women, so he may have murdered more that haven't been connected to him. Now after seeing how easy it is to "disappear" I would never travel without armed escorts in any National Parks that had wilderness areas. The Sund/Pelosi murders were a chilling reminder that even three women who carefully never left one another alone could not protect themselves against one blood-thirsty killer.

mama, yep, I bet the Lexis witnessed her mother's murder, and knew that her death was imminent. In fact, she may have wished for it as a release from this evil POS. I don't understand how her mother could ever have hooked up with this depraved monster.

Sorry I have not been on here had my dad in the hospital with blood clot in his lung. But even through all that I am sooooo glad they got this creep. I have a very close relative that is employed by Catahoula Parish Sheriffs dept. He is to be transferred here sometime today and the real process of justice will begin. Please keep this community in your prayers we are a VILLAGE. A very small community. Most of these folks have lived here for generations, generations and generations My family goes back to 9 generations. Close nit, God fearing and peaceful Community. There is only one small gas station, bank branch, elementary and high school don't know the population right off but it is low. This trail will be a strain on our little village. as a matter of fact you can see the elementary school from the courthouse no more than 100 yards. Thanks again for all your prayers and thoughts just please keep us there in your hearts as we continue to put this creep where he belongs. I will keep you posted on what it going on here as much as possible

Just checked Population of Harrisonburg 746

Hi Catahoula! It's heartwarming to see your little town wrap their arms around this child. I can only imagine the strain this will take on your village. Please keep us posted!

I hope your dad is better! For you:

La. grand jury indicts ‘dead’ man on kidnap charge

The Associated Press
Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 | 2:30 p.m.

A Mississippi man who was declared dead in 1994 has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the kidnapping of a 12-year-old Las Vegas girl whose skeletal remains were found last month in central Louisiana.

Thomas Steven Sanders is scheduled to face a federal magistrate Friday at a detention hearing in Alexandria, La., on the kidnapping charge.

Stephanie A. Finley, a U.S. attorney in Louisiana, said in a news release Thursday that Sanders could face the death penalty if convicted of kidnapping 12-year-old Lexis Roberts, which allegedly resulted in her death.

Authorities in Louisiana's Catahoula Parish, where Lexis Roberts' body was found in the woods off a dirt road Oct. 8, say they will charge Sanders with first-degree murder in state court after he's processed on the federal charge.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/18/ms-declared-dead-charges1st-ld-writethru/

Catahoula, it sounds like a amazing little town. Out here in Northern AZ, near where Suellen was found it is also very special. Yesterday on a drive back from Kingman on route 66 My wife and I saw 7 Golden Eagles. Most on telephone polls right on the side of the road. Two in trees.

You can see the stars from one horizon to the other. The Milky Way is clearly visible every cloud free night. Antelope, Dear, Elk, Horses and cattle line the hills and fields. Red Tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles are sighted daily, if you look.

Today I was up at Bearizona and ran into a lady from the vigil. She and her son put the bear tattoos ( washable ) on Lexis and Suellen. I gave her daughter ( Lexis age ) a stuffed little pink bear from one the other attendees had left. She told me her daughter sleeps with it every night, clutched tightly to her.

While out putting up posters I met others who had met them, heard stories of Lexis playing with the store cat at the Texico in Redlake off hwy 64.
A man who remembered meeting her at a gas station in Williams, saying how thrilled she was to be going to see the bears. I've gotten to know some of these bears pretty well, and I can imagine Lexis reaction to Jack, a 500 lb Black bear who will walk up to any car, and if you let him, climb up on the hood.

I know before the terror came, they were happy. That they saw Buffalo, Wolves, Red foxes, Bear Cubs, Burrows, Big horned sheep and many others as well as my friends the eagles...

They live on without their bodies and are free from pain and worry. May they remain in the light for ever.

May justice be swift and final

Me

Silence Does No Good, welcome to RC.

That was a very moving and vivid comment you left. I could visualize everything you said. And where you said "before the terror came, they were happy" that was very moving too.

Hi Silence, thank you for the peaceful image. Your community has embraced both Lexis and Suellen as well. It's difficult to fathom the evil that exists among us. I'll never be able to understand it.

"They live on without their bodies and are free from pain and worry. May they remain in the light for ever.

May justice be swift and final."

I agree. My sincerest sympathy goes out to the Roberts family for the loss of their loved ones, Lexis and Suellen.

Thank you Silence. We are a wonderful, peaceful community and to think that one of our own has done a thing like this is just unthinkable. Of course he has family here but from all my information they had NOTHING to do with him ????????????? Not sure about that. But that is to be discovered during the trial. Who knows. Blood is thicker than water. I know deep down in my heart of hearts that this isn't the first and wouldn't have been the last is he had not been caught

Piper; Thanks for the prays for Daddy . He is much better we have an appt in New Orleans next week to find out more. Continue to send prayers for him.

The one thing I want to say is that I have not forgotten those children who are still missing in our country. The news every night has some nightmare about another abducted or missing child to report. Everyone please be aware of your surrounding and the people around you . This is for your protection and maybe you will spot something out of the way like the truck stop employee who called in SANDERS> Bless her heart. I am soooo afraid she was to be his next victim. From her statements he was working on her. LORD HAVE MERCY.

His arraindment is today in ALexandria, LA. THe local news it to have a report on this at 5pm. Will know more then.

Thanks My Friends.

'Legally dead' man pleads not guilty to kidnapping

November 19, 2010

ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) — A Mississippi man who authorities thought had been be dead for more than 15 years pleaded not guilty Friday to kidnapping a 12-year-old girl who was found dead in remote Louisiana woods.

Thomas Steven Sanders, suspected of shooting Lexis Roberts of Las Vegas before dumping her body in central Louisiana's Catahoula Parish, said little Friday during the hearing in federal court in Alexandria, La.

Shackled and wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, the 53-year-old Sanders spent much of the hearing leaning forward in his seat and reading documents with his lawyer. Sanders had shaven off the bushy, white beard seen in police photographs before his capture.

James Kelly, sheriff of the parish where Roberts' body was found by hunters Oct. 8, also was at the hearing. Kelly said he'll charge Sanders with first-degree murder in state court when the federal government finishes processing him, possibly early next week.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jaCWQI01HcrtcJx5KEtJSvNqE9Aw?docId=b9ab57c545bc4c2a917877713f39cde8

Arizona authorities confirm body is that of missing mother

By Jackie Valley

Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 | 9:25 a.m.




Arizona authorities have confirmed that a woman's body discovered in a remote area in Yavapai County last month is that of Suellen Roberts, the missing mother of a Las Vegas girl found dead in Louisiana.

Yavapai County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dwight D'Evelyn said medical examinations confirmed the remains found in mid-November off Interstate 40 in northwestern Arizona are those of the 31-year-old mother who went missing after Labor Day weekend.

Read more:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/dec/21/body-missing-mother-found-arizona/

New arraignment for 'legally dead' man

Updated: Feb 12, 2011 9:59 AM EST

ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) -- A Las Vegas man has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing him of kidnapping and killing a 12-year-old girl whose body was found last October by hunters in remote woods in east-central Louisiana.

Read more: http://www.ktnv.com/story/14017829/new-arraignment-for-legally-dead-man

Prosecutors weigh death penalty in kidnap case

The Associated Press
Saturday, July 21, 2012 | 9:46 a.m.

Federal prosecutors have until Aug. 1 to decide if they'll seek the death penalty against a man who was declared dead in Mississippi in 1994 and surfaced years later as a suspect in the deaths of his Las Vegas girlfriend and her daughter.

Thomas Steven Sanders is charged in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, La., with kidnapping resulting in the death of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts. Her body was found by hunters in October 2010 in Catahoula Parish, La. The body of her mother, Suellen Roberts, was found the next month in Yavapai County, Ariz.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jul/21/ms-declared-dead-charges-1st-ld-writethru/

Prosecutors seek death penalty in kidnap case

HOLBROOK MOHR, Associated Press
Updated 05:53 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 2012

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a man who was declared dead in Mississippi in 1994 and surfaced years later as a suspect in the deaths of his Las Vegas girlfriend and her daughter.

Thomas Steven Sanders is charged in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, La., with kidnapping resulting in the death of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts. He's also charged with using a gun during a crime that resulted in death. Both charges carry possible death sentences.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Prosecutors-seek-death-penalty-in-kidnap-case-3756702.php

Updating old case

Sanders gets death penalty for girl's kidnapping, killing
10:21 p.m. CDT September 26, 2014

A jury Friday gave Thomas Steven Sanders what he said he wanted — the death penalty for kidnapping and killing 12-year-old Lexis Roberts in 2010.

After about seven hours of deliberation spanning two days, not a single juror determined that the 57-year-old Sanders was remorseful or is a human being capable of redemption.

The jury reviewed 106 mitigating factors proposed by the defense, among them a number of questions regarding Sanders' mental health. None of the jurors believed Sanders to be mentally ill before, during or after the shooting death of Lexis' mother, Suellen Roberts, and the subsequent kidnapping and killing of Lexis after a Labor Day outing taken by the trio.

Read more:  http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/2014/09/26/sanders-sentenced-death-row/16274847/