Jeffrey Gordon Burke, of Pahrump, may have his charge of murder dropped by the state.

Burke was arrested and charged with the murder of Rene Hatch, his girlfriend at the time, last February. She was found dead in her residence on Feb. 3.

After her body was discovered, Burke left Pahrump and the Nye County Sheriff's Office issued a public alert, including his photograph, stating he was wanted for questioning.

Five days later Burke was arrested and charged with Hatch's murder.

He was released on his own recognizance, however, due to the state's lengthy wait for lab results.

Last Wednesday, Burke appeared in Pahrump Justice Court but Andre Lawson, prosecuting for the state, told Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebell he would ask his superiors for permission to dismiss the case.

Lawson later conceded that the state could not go forward with the case due to lack of evidence. Brisebell will hold a status hearing for Burke July 25.

District Attorney Bob Beckett said the dismissal does not mean the end of the case, however. "The case is still open," he said. "As soon as we get solid evidence and solid information, we fully intend to prosecute."

Beckett added that there's no statue of limitations for the charge of murder in Nevada.