Henderson Teenager Died by Suicide After Leaving Home, Autopsy Reveals

Posted on: January 7, 2025, 02:38h. 

Last updated on: January 7, 2025, 03:00h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

The 17-year-old girl whose body was discovered on Sunday in the desert in Henderson, Nev. died after shooting herself, according to a news report.

Jennaleah Hin
Jennaleah Hin, pictured above. Her identity was confirmed and an autopsy was performed. (Contributed photo via Henderson Police Department)

The cause of her passing was suicide, the Clark County coroner’s office revealed on Tuesday following an autopsy, Las Vegas TV station KTNV reported.

Initially, concern was voiced by rescuers that she couldn’t survive after several days in the desert without food or water.

Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

On Tuesday, the self-inflicted gunshot wound was reported. There were no signs of foul play, according to initial news reports.

The girl was identified as Jennaleah Hin of Henderson, who ran away from home on December 30 after an argument with her parents. When leaving the house, she told family members that they wouldn’t have to worry about her anymore, according to Mark Speer, commander of Red Rock Search and Rescue, a volunteer organization that played a key role in the search for her.

Hin didn’t take food or water, supplies, or a cell phone upon leaving the house, authorities said.

“She was distraught when she left,” Speer added in a statement last week. “So, every day it gets more critical … Every day is more critical than the prior day.”

Last week, Speer told reporters the disagreement was “just a normal dispute that teens have with their parents sometimes.” Details weren’t provided.

Hin’s lifeless body was spotted by an unnamed hiker on Sunday morning in the desert located east of Sunflower Circle and Spanish Needle Street in Henderson, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. That person in turn contacted local police and firefighters.

Police said that the body matched the description of Hin. Her identity was confirmed by the coroner’s office on Monday.

Flowers and remembrances were placed in the area where Hin was found a few hours after the body was located about 17 miles southeast of Las Vegas.

Hin’s parents immediately contacted authorities once they realized she had left the house. A specially-trained dog had picked up her scent last week, but Hin couldn’t be found for several days. In addition to search dogs, the search was aided by helicopters, drones, and searchers on horses, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles.

Several police departments, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, school police officers, and the Red Rock Search and Rescue were among those involved in the search. Some high school classmates and adults from the region volunteered, too.

Hin attended Henderson’s Foothill High School where she was an A student, and she had never run away from home before. She had planned to attend nursing school in the fall.

Outpouring of Sympathy

In a statement to students’ families on Sunday, Foothills High School Principal Jonathan Synold announced, “It is with deep sympathy that I inform you of the passing of a Foothill High School student. It is never easy to lose a valuable life, especially at a young age, and we will truly remember this student as part of our Falcon community.”

Several members of the community have posted heartfelt comments over Hin’s passing.

Praying for Jenna’s family,” Mary Dixon said on Casino.org on Sunday. “This week has been one that you’d hate to have any family go through. Our community came out in full force to help find her. Tonight I will light a candle in memory for those lost or missing. You will not be forgotten.”

Those who are contemplating suicide can contact 988, a Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, for assistance.