LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Twelve years ago Phil Hoover received a phone call that changed everything.
“We got a phone call that my dad killed my mom and brother using a firearm. He then took his own life,” Hoover told 8 News Now.
Hoover shared that, growing up, the signs were there from the start, but that type of violence was considered normal to him since it was all he knew.
“The first memory that I can think of, is having my dad pick me up by the throat and slam me into a wall. I look at it now and I think,'” Why didn’t I do anything about it at the time?”‘ he said.
According to data released by Metro police, murders in LVMPD’s jurisdiction in total are down in 2025 compared to 2024, however, murders related to domestic violence are up by over 50%.
The most recent case happened on April 21 when police arrested a man for allegedly stabbing and killing his grandfather in the south Las Vegas valley.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old, Jourdan Nepo, is scheduled to appear in court on May 1.
Clinical Therapist Melinda Wiafe at the Jewish Family Service Agency, a social services organization said domestic violence continues to be a top concern as more people are becoming stressed and lashing out against those closest to them.
“We’re seeing the aftermath with children who are being exposed to it and the numbers are rising, so I believe it’s across-the-board when you have family units, whether it be a child, spouse or grandparent,” Wiafe shared.
As for Hoover, while his story is gruesome, he said over the years, he’s gotten stronger in telling it by knowing that awareness is key when it comes to such tragedies.
“It’s a hard thing for people to grasp because it is shocking. My philosophy is that anything I can share to help another person not have that experience is key,” he added.
In total, Metro Police said there have been just under 30 murders compared to 36 this time last year, with February being the deadliest month so far.
According to data, Metro police’s Northeast and Downtown Area Commands have the most amount of murders in 2025 so far.
