A Las Vegas woman is accused of running over and killing her boyfriend after finding another woman’s tampons in the trash.
Julie Bush, 30, faces charges of murder, domestic battery, attempted murder, possession of a controlled substance, and driving under the influence, according to Clark County court records.
On May 24, a 911 call reported that Ms. Bush had run over her boyfriend of a year, 51-year-old Richard Penardo Jr., in a suburb near downtown Las Vegas, according to 8NewsNow.
Penardo Jr. was taken to the hospital in critical condition with multiple brain bleeds and collapsed lungs. He died the next day.
Ms. Bush reportedly told police she confronted her boyfriend after finding another woman’s tampons in the trash. During the argument, she claimed that Penardo Jr. swung a steel chain at her car, breaking the windows. She then allegedly got into her car and accelerated into her boyfriend, causing him to hit a brick wall.
Police later obtained video showing Ms. Bush following Penardo Jr. with her car, appearing to try to hit him again.
Law enforcement found bags of methamphetamine and fentanyl in her car. Ms. Bush admitted to taking fentanyl hours before the incident. Police were unable to determine who the tampons belonged to.
Ms. Bush’s next court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Bail has not been set.
Penardo Jr. had a criminal history, including prison time for forgery, accessory to a felony, insurance fraud, and conspiracy to commit murder. He took an Alford plea for his role in a woman’s death in 2008, meaning he did not admit guilt but believed there was enough evidence to convict him. The woman died from ligature strangulation, and Penardo Jr. allegedly helped dispose of her body. He was sentenced to two to five years in prison.