Argument over laundry leads to Las Vegas Metro lieutenant allegedly strangling wife: police

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — An argument over laundry escalated into a fight between a police lieutenant and his wife. During the fight, he allegedly strangled her, according to documents 8 News Now obtained.

On Oct. 12, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was dispatched to Paseos Park, located near Desert Moon Road and Sky Vista Drive in west Las Vegas, following a report of a strangulation incident.

During the investigation, police recorded a statement from a woman living with LVMPD Lieutenant Brian Boxler and their two children. She explained that the family had been outside in the hot tub when an argument broke out between the kids. Frustrated, Boxler went inside the house.

Police said according to the woman, while putting away his dirty clothes in the laundry, he noticed clean clothes already inside and became upset and tossed his dirty clothes, including pants with a belt, into the pile. She told police she responded by removing the belt and throwing it on the floor.

The woman told police Boxler then asked her why she threw the belt at his face, to which she clarified that it did not hit his face, just possibly his legs. He later returned to the laundry room and threw his wet boxers at her, prompting her to call his behavior childish, she told the police.

According to documents, the woman said that Boxler then grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against the wall where she could not breathe properly.

In response, she kicked him to get free, she told police. She warned him that she would call the police if he didn’t calm down, to which he reportedly threatened to harm himself with the belt and blame her for the injuries, according to the arrest report.

The woman then left the residence and called both her mother and Boxler’s mother, according to the statements in the documents. Moments later, officers from LVMPD arrived to speak with both parties. Police said they observed reddening on both sides of the woman’s neck.

Boxler initially refused to leave the residence but eventually exited and was taken into custody. He has been employed with the LVMPD since 2008 and was assigned to the Community Safety Division in the Summerlin Area Command.

Police said Boxler was placed on a suspension of police powers with pay pending further investigation.

Boxler faces a felony charge of domestic battery by strangulation. He was released from the Clark County Detention Center on Oct. 13.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 20.

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