Robert Belford

Robert “Bobby” Lee Belford, a 44-year-old physical therapist known for his caring and generous nature, died on October 29, 2011, after being injured during an altercation at a party in Las Vegas, Nevada. A resident of the city for fifteen years, he had built a life and career there after moving from his home state of Indiana. Remembered by friends and family as a man full of life who will be dearly missed, his death left his loved ones seeking answers that have remained elusive for over a decade.

Originally from the Highland, Indiana area, Bobby was a 1986 graduate of Highland High School. He pursued higher education at Daemen College, where he earned a degree in physical therapy in 1996. Soon after, he relocated to Las Vegas and established his practice. He was survived by his parents, two brothers, nieces, a nephew, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as a wide circle of friends who cherished him.

The final hours of Bobby’s life were spent at a Halloween party in the western valley of Las Vegas. In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 29, a dispute broke out. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, the argument, reportedly over money, escalated into a physical fight between Bobby and another man. During the altercation, Bobby was allegedly struck. The blow caused him to fall and hit his head on the ground.

Police were called to the scene in the 6300 block of West Dewey Drive, near Russell Road and Torrey Pines Drive, at approximately 3 a.m. Responding officers found Bobby in the road with significant head trauma. He was rushed to a hospital, but his injuries proved fatal. The Clark County Coroner's Office later identified him, though the official cause and manner of death were not immediately determined pending an investigation.

Homicide detectives with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department took over the case. Investigators learned of the Halloween party at a nearby home and began interviewing witnesses. Accounts of the fight reportedly varied, with different people giving conflicting statements about who initiated the physical confrontation. Police were able to identify a potential suspect, described only as a man in his 30s.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, authorities announced that the suspect had not been arrested, as the case was pending a full review by the Clark County District Attorney's Office to determine if charges were warranted. However, no subsequent announcements of an arrest or charges were ever made public. There have been no further updates from law enforcement regarding the identified suspect or any other persons of interest.

Years have passed, and Bobby Belford's death is now considered a cold case. His family held services for him in Schererville, Indiana, in early November 2011, where he was laid to rest. The case remains unsolved, leaving a painful void for his family and friends. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continues to list the case as an open homicide. As of today, no one has been held accountable for the death of Bobby Belford, and the investigation remains ongoing.