WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Five people face charges in Luzerne County after a months-long death investigation.
Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce announced Tuesday afternoon that the human remains found inside a home on Carlisle Street in south Wilkes-Barre are that of 38-year-old Nicole Cuevas.
According to court paperwork, Cuevas, who was originally from Michigan, came to the area with one of the suspects, Desiree Linnette.
Investigators say Faith Beamer, Sarai Doyle, Desiree Linnette, Jason Race, and William Wolfe tortured and killed Cuevas before burying her body in the basement of the home along Carlisle Street back in April of 2023.
Police discovered Cuevas' body in February after receiving numerous tips.
"In addition to the murder charges, they are all currently incarcerated on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping for the confinement of Nicole Cuevas, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated assault for the injuries sustained to the victim, and abuse of a corpse," said Sanguedolce.
"Following her death, she was wrapped in a tarp, tied with electrical cords and rope, and buried in the dirt-floor basement of 142 Carlisle Street," Sanguedolce said.
"There were so many rumors going around. You didn't know what to believe and what not to believe," said Kathryn Mizzer, Wilkes-Barre.
Kathryn Mizzer lives just a few houses away from the now-vacant property on Carlisle Street. She hopes these arrests will give peace of mind to those who still call the neighborhood home.
"I'm just really elated, you know, that these arrests were finally made," she said.
Almost a month after Cuevas' body was found, another body was discovered in a wooded area near the Cross Valley in Wilkes-Barre.
Investigators have now identified those remains as Debra Fox, the former homeowner of the place on Carlisle Street.
Fox's death remains under investigation.
The district attorney says he does not believe Debra Fox is involved in Cuevas' death.
"These investigators are continuing to actively work this case. We are additionally and conjunctively working the death investigation of Debra Fox. Anyone with information on either of these cases is still asked to participate, as it could be vital to solving the case or proceeding with the investigations," said Sanguedolce.