Las Vegas mother arrested after ex-husband found dead, children taken to California

Woman faces murder charges following cross-state manhunt and disturbing discovery at east valley home

A 37-year-old Las Vegas woman faces murder charges after allegedly killing her ex-husband and fleeing to California with her four children, including the victim’s son who was supposed to be in his father’s custody for Father’s Day weekend.

Shamier Hines was arrested in Long Beach, California, and extradited to Las Vegas where she faces charges of open murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Kenneth Hines, her recently divorced ex-husband. The case has shocked the east Las Vegas community and highlighted the tragic consequences of custody disputes gone wrong.

The grim discovery

On June 22, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police responded to a home in the 5700 block of Coleridge Way, near Sahara Avenue and Nellis Boulevard, after neighbors reported a foul odor emanating from the residence. The address had been the subject of several previous calls related to a missing person report filed for Kenneth Hines.

Upon arrival, officers detected the strong odor and observed a dark substance, later identified as blood, seeping from beneath the garage door. Inside the garage, investigators made a disturbing discovery—Kenneth Hines’ body hidden beneath a pile of clothing.

The scene revealed evidence of an attempted cover-up. The victim’s body was wrapped in a plastic shower curtain and bed comforter, with oil-absorbent powder and soil placed near his head, apparently to prevent bodily fluids from spreading. Detectives recovered spent cartridge casings, a bullet, and bullet fragments near the body, along with blood spatter on a vehicle registered to the victim.

In the backyard, investigators found a freshly dug hole and two sets of boots—one adult-sized and one child-sized—suggesting someone had considered burying the body before abandoning the plan.

Timeline of events

The investigation revealed a tragic sequence of events beginning on June 14, when Kenneth Hines had a phone conversation with his mother. He told her he was dropping off his son at Shamier’s house and would pick him up the following day for Father’s Day.

Surveillance footage captured critical moments early on June 15:

• 2:00 a.m.: Kenneth’s vehicle pulled into Shamier’s garage
• Moments later: Shamier’s vehicle followed him in
• 4:35 a.m.: Shamier and her four children boarded a Greyhound bus to Los Angeles

When purchasing the bus tickets, Shamier used her real name but provided false names and birthdates for her children, indicating premeditation and an attempt to evade detection. The bus arrived at Los Angeles Union Station at 10:20 a.m. that same morning.

Kenneth failed to show up for work on June 16, prompting concern among family members. His mother reported him missing on June 18 and requested a welfare check at Shamier’s home, but officers conducting a knock-and-talk received no response.

The situation escalated on June 19 when Kenneth’s family reported his son missing, knowing the child should have been in his father’s custody. Three days later, the grim discovery was made.

A troubled divorce and custody battle

Court records revealed that Shamier and Kenneth’s divorce had been finalized just one month before the killing, in May 2025. The former couple was embroiled in a custody dispute over their two shared children, with Shamier having recently regained partial access after an unspecified period of limited contact.

The Clark County Coroner’s Office determined Kenneth died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled the death a homicide.

The arrest in California

Law enforcement tracked Shamier to Long Beach, California, where she was staying with her children. During the arrest operation, officers detained her eldest son and discovered a pistol in his pocket. All four children were removed from the home and placed in protective custody at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Los Alamitos.

Shamier’s version of events

During police questioning, Shamier provided a dramatically different account of what happened that night. She claimed that on June 14, one of her younger sons had mentioned concerns about a potential relationship between Kenneth and another son, with whom Kenneth allegedly had a poor relationship.

According to Shamier’s statement, she called Kenneth to discuss the matter, and he came to the house, initially parking on the street. She said the three of them went into the garage for a conversation, during which Kenneth allegedly said they were “both wrong,” which upset their son.

Shamier told investigators that Kenneth became aggressive, got in her face, and pulled out a knife. She claimed she briefly went inside the house before returning to the garage, where she saw Kenneth beginning to pull out his phone.

In her account, she then grabbed Kenneth and screamed, beginning to pray for him to “come back.” She said she saw blood coming from his mouth and felt his chest but “felt nothing.”

However, this version of events contradicts the physical evidence found at the scene, including multiple gunshot wounds and the elaborate attempts to conceal the body.

Legal proceedings

Following her arrest, Shamier was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of open murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The conspiracy charge suggests prosecutors believe others may have been involved in planning or executing the crime.

Her initial court appearance was scheduled for the Wednesday following her arrest, where formal charges would be presented and bail considerations addressed.

Community impact

The case has sent shockwaves through the east Las Vegas community, particularly among neighbors who had noticed something amiss but couldn’t have imagined the tragedy that had unfolded. The involvement of children, both as witnesses and victims of the circumstances, has made the case particularly heartbreaking.

Child welfare advocates have pointed to the case as an example of how custody disputes can escalate to violence, emphasizing the need for better support systems for families going through divorce and custody battles.

Moving forward

As the case proceeds through the justice system, many questions remain unanswered. The whereabouts and welfare of all four children involved continue to be a primary concern for authorities and family members. The investigation remains active as detectives work to establish a complete picture of what led to this tragic outcome.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for domestic disputes to escalate into violence and the importance of intervention resources for families in crisis. Local organizations have renewed calls for increased funding for domestic violence prevention programs and family counseling services.

For the family of Kenneth Hines, the focus now turns to seeking justice while grappling with an unimaginable loss and the complex task of ensuring the well-being of the children caught in the middle of this tragedy.

Image Sources: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/las-vegas-woman-accused-fleeing-060210848.html

Category: Local News
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 08/05/2025