A Desert Mystery Solved After Five Decades
Human remains discovered in the Las Vegas desert half a century ago have finally been identified as a Canadian woman potentially killed in a mob-related hit. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the remains belong to Anna Sylvia Just, a stenographer originally from Calgary, Alberta, who vanished in 1968.
The Mob Connection and a Fatal Loan
At the time of her disappearance, items belonging to Just, including her suitcase and a purse containing her identification, were found in the desert outside Henderson. The police investigation revealed she was an acquaintance of Thomas Hanley, a union boss with documented ties to the Chicago mob. According to police reports, Just had borrowed money from Hanley prior to going missing.
In 1970, children playing in the area stumbled upon human remains in a shallow grave. The Clark County coroner's office ruled the death a homicide, citing a depressed fracture on the recovered skull. However, the identity of the victim remained a mystery for the next five decades.
Modern DNA Technology Cracks the Case
The breakthrough came in 2024 when police in Calgary collected DNA from Just's sister. This crucial evidence was used by Las Vegas cold case investigators to establish a definitive link, confirming the long-unidentified remains were those of Anna Sylvia Just.
The case is shrouded in the dark history of Las Vegas organised crime. Thomas Hanley, the union figure connected to Just, had a violent past. He was previously accused of murdering Ralph Alsup in 1970, though the charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence. A key witness in that case, Alphonse Bass, died in a suspicious house fire that was later determined to be arson.
Hanley's criminal career culminated in 1977 when he and his son pleaded guilty to the murder of Al Bramlet, the head of the Culinary Union in Las Vegas. Hanley died in police custody in 1979, taking many secrets with him. The identification of Anna Sylvia Just finally brings a measure of resolution to a cold case that has lingered for over 50 years.
