Drunken Las Vegas Body Snatcher Avoids Prison

The woman who stole a coffin with a body in it from a Las Vegas funeral home this summer will avoid prison time. Las Vegas resident Patricia Sierra, 47, will instead enter court-ordered drug treatment, according to court documents reviewed by KLAS-TV/Las Vegas.

Sierra was caught on security footage breaking into Affordable Cremation & Burial, wheeling a body out the door, and then dumping it in the landscaping out front. She then left the coffin next to the body and fled the scene of the crime.

Sierra originally faced charges of burglary, grand larceny, and disturbing human remains in connection with the bizarre incident. As part of a plea agreement entered on September 24, according to the KLAS report, she pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and agreed to enter the drug program administered by the Clark County District Court, in addition to receiving probation.

Clark County District Court Judge Tara Clark Newberry signed off on the plea agreement on December 5, noting that if Sierra violates probation, she will need to serve at least a year behind bars.

The court’s treatment program includes electronic monitoring and random drug testing.

Body of Evidence

At 3:30 a.m. on August 27, someone called 911 to report a body lying face down in front of the facility at 2127 W. Charleston Blvd. Police responded and were able to identify the deceased via paperwork found next to the casket.

Sierra was arrested two days later when officers responded to a call from someone recognizing her while she shopped at a convenience store.

Sierra remained in custody Monday while awaiting her first session in the court’s treatment program.