Suspect in Hailey Nieto murder makes first court appearance

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - MAY 19 UPDATE: Todd Tonnochy made his initial court appearance in Reno on Friday. Tonnochy appeared remotely to hear the charges against him.

A status hearing is scheduled for June 5, 2023.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Todd Tonnochy, the man accused of killing 18-year-old Hailey Nieto, has been booked into the Washoe County jail. The jail website lists Tonnochy’s booking date as Thursday, May 18. He faces an open murder charge, along with trying to destroy or conceal evidence.

Nieto was a mother of two. Her body was found in March 2023 near Cold Springs.

Tonnochy fled Reno and was arrested in Midland, Texas, by U.S. Marshals and the Midland County Sheriff’s Office. He has an extensive criminal history. In 2020, he was charged as a habitual criminal and is a convicted felon.