According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Nicole “Melissa” Malmstedt of Minden was convinced by a jury Thursday of principal to first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon in connection with a 2023 murder.
On August 14, 2023, Paul “Adam” Mulkey, a 42-year-old Carson City man, was killed at the end of Stephanie Way. Malmstedt was accused of assisting boyfriend and co-defendant Larry Allen Arnold by luring Mulkey to the area for the purpose of killing him.
Malmstedt, Mulkey and Arnold knew each other through drug use. Malmstedt denied taking part in the killing, but evidence at the scene as well as text messages and emails sent between her, the defendant and the victim were used by prosecution to tell a different story.
According to reporting by Kurt Hildebrand at the Record Courier, Malmstedt’s defense attorney argued that the two men had “exploited” her repeatedly, and the evidence presented by the prosecution muddied conversations and made connections to the killing that were not accurate.
However, according to Hildebrand’s reporting, Malmstedt’s cellphone was tracked alongside Mulkey’s and Arnold’s the morning of the killing to the site where Mulkey was shot, and Malmstedt’s DNA was found on cigarettes found at the scene.
In a press release issued late Thursday night by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Dan Coverley praised the work of investigators.
“I want to congratulate the men and women of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and dedication throughout this case,” Sheriff Coverley said. “I am extremely proud of our team and their commitment to seeking justice for Adam and his family.”
Sheriff Coverley also expressed his appreciation to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for its professionalism, preparation, and dedication throughout the prosecution.
“Justice is not achieved by one person or one agency,” Sheriff Coverley said. “It requires cooperation between law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and members of our community. The public was also instrumental in the successful investigation and prosecution of this case.”
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office extends its continued thoughts to the family and loved ones of Paul “Adam” Mulkey and appreciates everyone who assisted investigators during the course of this investigation.
Arnold’s trial begins November 30, 2026.
