Case file
Nicole Cuevas Homicide Case
Status: Awaiting trial
Last updated
June 26, 2025
Case Summary
When 38-year-old Nicole Cuevas traveled to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with her friend and new love interest Desiree Linnette, she had no way of knowing she would never make it out alive. Just one month after Nicole arrived in W-B, she was murdered and buried in the basement of a rundown house on Carlisle Street. A year later, five people were arrested for her kidnap, torture and murder. They are currently awaiting trial.
Case status
Investigation Progress
75%
Status
Awaiting trial
Legal Updates and court dates
Upcoming Court Dates
Homicide arraignment
(all 5 suspects)
July 9, 2025, 10 a.m.
Luzerne County Courthouse, 3rd floor
Charges filed – All five suspects
Case timeline
Late March: Nicole Cuevas and Desiree Linnette arrive at 142 Carlisle Street. Within days, Cuevas is reportedly held captive, beaten, and tortured by multiple residents of the home.
Nicole Cuevas Murdered: After enduring unimaginable cruelty and torture, Cuevas dies and is buried in the dirt-floor basement of the home.
Anthony Cook Beaten: A man is held captive and beaten in the Carlisle basement after being accused of molestation. He escapes and runs to a convenience store. Police investigate but no charges are filed.
Protection Order Filed: Debra Fox files a protection-from-abuse (PFA) order against her nephew Jason Race, citing severe mistreatment. The PFA is granted.
House Sold in Tax Sale: Debra Fox loses the house at 142 Carlisle Street due to $3,000 in unpaid property taxes.
House Vacated: Deed is recorded in mid-January. By month’s end, all occupants have moved out of the house. This is around the last time Debra Fox is seen alive.
Police Search Carlisle Street Home: Heavy police activity begins in the evening of February 27 and continues for over 24 hours. Witnesses had recently come forward about Cuevas’s murder.
Remains Announced: News reports confirm remains were found in the Carlisle Street basement. DNA testing is underway. Reporters say the prior owner (Debra Fox) could not be located.
Second Body Found: Human remains are discovered behind a budget hotel 3 miles away. Authorities link this to the Carlisle Street investigation.
Arrests made:DA confirms: Nicole Cuevas was found buried in the basement. Five people were arrested for her kidnapping, torture and murder.
Debra Fox was found behind the hotel. Her cause and manner of death are undetermined. No arrests have been made related to her death.
Suspects
Jason P. Race
Age: 44. Held at Luzerne County Prison
William B. Wolfe
Age: 55. Held at Lackawanna County Prison
Desiree Linnette
Age: 44. Held at Luzerne County Prison
Sarai Doyle
Age: 25. Held at Carbon County Prison
Faith L. Beamer
Age: 41. Held at Monroe County Prison
Related posts
Debra Fox’s Mysterious Death: Was it Murder?
Hometown Service Held for Nicole Cuevas; New Court Date for Suspects
Carlisle Street Debra Fox’s autopsy inconclusive; intense investigation ongoing
GoFundMe created for Debra Jane Fox funeral costs
All 5 Nicole Cuevas Homicide Suspects Scheduled for May 31 hearing
Photo of murder suspect Desiree Linnette with now-deceased woman Debra Fox, posted 6 months after Nicole Cuevas homicide
Sources
- Lewis, Edward. 2025. “Sugar Notch Man Charged in ‘House of Horrors’ Torture, Burying Body.” Times Leader. February 18, 2025. https://www.timesleader.com/news/1685563/sugar-notch-man-charged-in-house-of-horrors-torture-burying-body.
- Court of Common Pleas, Joined Codefendant Cases, criminal case docket no. CP-40-CR-0000321-2025 Comm. v. Beamer, Faith L.; CP-40-CR-0000322-2025 Comm. v. Linnette, Desiree Kehaun; CP-40-CR-0000323-2025 Comm. v. Race, Jason P.; CP-40-CR-0000324-2025 Comm. v. Wolfe, William Benjamin: CP-40-CR-0000320-2025, filed 3 February 2025; last accessed 20 June 2025. Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal (https://ujsportal.pacourts.us).