Shooting death prompts search for woman

Douglas County detectives are investigating the shooting death of a 59-year-old Topaz Ranch Estates man whose body was found Tuesday.

Norman Welch was found in his home at 4100 Gray Hills Road. Investigators said it appeared Welch had been shot sometime in the last two weeks.

Gray Hills Road was closed at Eagle Mountain Road while a dozen investigators and search-and-rescue members examined the 5-acre property, overlooking Antelope Valley.

According to the Douglas County Records Office, Welch purchased the property in 1994. He'd been living in the double-wide mobile home for more than 15 years.

Details about the investigation aren't being disclosed, but Douglas County sheriff's detectives are seeking the public's help in finding Jeanine Mona Escandon, 38, who was living with Welch. She is described as 5-foot-6, about 105 pounds, with a thin build, brown eyes and medium brown hair. She has false front teeth.

Sgt. Jim Halsey said she is believed to be driving a maroon 1990 Chrysler Imperial four-door sedan with the Nevada personalized license plate No. F1NEV. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Escandon or the vehicle is asked to contact Douglas County Sheriff's Office dispatch at (775) 782-5126.

Halsey said the sheriff's office had no previous contact with Escandon.

In May, Welch filed a fraud report with Douglas County, reporting that $3,600 had been withdrawn illegally from his personal and business checking accounts. According to the report, the transactions took place in Texas, Maryland and Malta. Welch's losses were covered by Bank of America, according to the report.