DNA Breakthrough Connects 1970 Vegas Murder to Casino Mob Boss
The Disappearance of Anna Sylvia Just
Over fifty years ago, a Canadian stenographer named Anna Sylvia Just vanished in the Nevada desert, south of Las Vegas. At 27 years old and originally from Calgary, Alberta, she disappeared in August 1966. Two years later, her personal belongings—such as clothes and identification—were discovered scattered near Henderson, prompting officials to launch a search that failed to locate her body at the time.
Discovery of Remains and Initial Investigation
In June 1970, children playing in the desert uncovered a shallow grave about a mile from where Just’s belongings were found. The Clark County coroner declared the death a homicide due to a skull injury consistent with a blunt force trauma. Despite this, the investigation stalled for over five decades because critical evidence was lacking.
Links to Las Vegas Casino Union and Organized Crime
Authorities suspected that Just’s disappearance was connected to Thomas “Tommy” Hanley, a powerful figure who led the American Federation of Casino and Gaming Employees. Hanley, notorious for intertwining casino labor affairs with mob activities, was believed to have had contact with Just before she vanished. According to old police reports, Just approached Hanley seeking financial help. Later suspicions arose that Hanley’s associates took her to the desert where she was murdered, although no charges were successfully filed at the time.
Hanley’s Notorious Role and Conviction
During the 1960s, Hanley gained a feared reputation within Las Vegas labor circles due to his alleged involvement in violent union conflicts. He was accused but never convicted of orchestrating the murder of a local union official in 1966. However, in 1977, Hanley and his son were imprisoned for the killing of Al Bramlet, an influential Culinary Union leader. This case illustrated the violent entanglement between organized crime and casino union operations in Las Vegas. Hanley passed away in prison in 1979.
DNA Testing Brings Closure
Decades later, in October 2024, a collaboration between the Calgary Cold Case Unit and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department led to a major breakthrough. Investigators located Just’s sister in Canada and obtained her DNA. Forensic specialists then used genetic genealogy to conclusively identify the remains found in the Nevada desert as those of Anna Sylvia Just.
Legacy of a Dark Era in Las Vegas
Identifying Anna Sylvia Just not only solves one of Las Vegas’s longest-standing cold cases but also rekindles memories of a turbulent period when the city’s casino industry was deeply influenced by union violence, mob power struggles, and corruption. This breakthrough highlights the complex and often dangerous intersection of labor unions and organized crime that shaped much of Las Vegas’s history.
