Lexis and Suellen Roberts: Killed by a Dead Man?



A nationwide all-points bulletin was soon issued for the missing mother and daughter, including their descriptions and photos. Suellen was described as white, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Lexis was described as white, five feet tall, 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Investigators soon learned that Suellen had been born and raised in Manchester, N.H., according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. Lexis had been born there, too, but had left with her mother for a new life in Las Vegas when she was 4-years-old. At that time Las Vegas was booming and attracting large numbers of new residents each month. Suellen's mother already resided there.

Lexis attended school in Las Vegas since kindergarten, and had just started seventh grade at Silvestri Junior High School on the city's southeast side when she disappeared. She turned 13 during the time her whereabouts were unknown. Suellen and Lexis had lived at an apartment complex, also in the southeast part of the city, but had moved about six months before they vanished. They were known to visit family members in New Hampshire every summer where they could reunite with loved ones and escape the intense heat of Las Vegas for awhile.

Suellen had attended Hallsville School and Hillside Middle School in Manchester, according to her great aunt, Patricia Cloutier. Cloutier told a reporter for the New Hampshire Union Leader that Suellen had not finished high school but later earned her GED. A dedicated mother, Suellen worked at a medical supply company and tried to do everything she could to make a better life for Lexis. She lost her job, however, when the economy turned south and had to move in with her mother, Cloutier said.

"She just had some hard knocks in life," Cloutier added. "She has a good heart and was trying really hard. She just didn't get any breaks."

Suellen met Sanders, her aunt said, at a time in her life when she was depressed and struggling to make ends meet after the loss of her job. Sanders saw an opportunity to get close to Suellen and Lexis, Cloutier said, and began showering her with gifts of jewelry and clothing. Suellen told her great aunt about Sanders, and said that he treated her and Lexis well.

"She was at a low point in her life, and he charmed her into trusting him," Cloutier said.

The last time anyone heard from Suellen was on September 5, 2010, when she used her cell phone to call a relative.