Boyfriend of missing Kings Beach woman and person of interest in Reno homicide arrested

RENO – The boyfriend of a missing Tahoe-area woman and a person of interest in a Reno homicide was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon, authorities say.

Kings Beach resident Patricia Portella-Wright was last heard from on Aug. 3 , but didn't get reported missing until Aug. 9 when she didn't show up for work.

On Wednesday, the Placer County Sheriff's Office announced that they have learned that Portillo-Wright may have last been seen with her boyfriend Brent Clifford. Reno police have also named Clifford as a person of interest in a homicide in their jurisdiction, the sheriff's office says.

But by Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff's office said Clifford was taken into custody in the Portola area of Plumas County. However, Portillo-Wright is still missing.

Detectives said Clifford was driving Portella-Wright's vehicle, a red 2003 Chevy Blazer, that was last seen heading westbound on Highway 70 from US-395 at Hallelujah Junction on the California side, which led deputies toward Portola.

No details about the person who died in that homicide have been released, but the sheriff's office says the person was found dead on Sunday, Aug. 11.

People with information on Portella-Wright's disappearance are urged to call the Placer County Sheriff's Office.