Woman found dead in TRE; son in custody

The body of a 79-year-old woman was found in her Topaz Ranch Estates home early today after her son called for medical assistance.

Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy-Coroner Jesse McKone said the body of Jeannette Roybal-Granados was discovered about 6:15 a.m.

He said the date and cause of death are under investigation.

McKone said her son, Joseph Roybal, 49, was taken into custody for possession of paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

Investigator James Booth said there were inconsistencies in Roybal's account of his mother's death.

"The initial inconsistencies lead to further investigation and we later determined that his earlier statements were false," Booth said.

He said Roybal-Granados was seen alive by a neighbor on Friday, but officers believed she had been dead longer than Monday morning.

"Through further interviews with her son and other caretakers, we believe she had been left alone longer than he stated," Booth said.

Booth said he was awaiting an autopsy and toxicology report from the Washoe County medical examiner.

"At this time, there is no sign of physical abuse," Booth said.

He said the victim had health issues which he did not disclose.

Roybal was jailed on $5,500 bail on the drug charges.

Booth asked anyone with information about suspected abuse or neglect involving the victim to call him at 782-6299.