Las Vegas Tourist Allegedly Kidnapped, Murdered By Basketball Player

Posted on: December 17, 2023, 07:32h. 

Last updated on: December 18, 2023, 05:08h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A pro basketball player and his girlfriend allegedly killed a 23-year-old woman whose body was found this month in Henderson, Nev., authorities revealed on Sunday.

The basketball player, Chance Comanche, 27, and the girlfriend, Sakari Harnden, 19, are to be charged with open murder for the homicide, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

Comanche played for the NBA G-league, team Stockton Kings until he was released by the organization when cops booked him.

Body Found in Desert

The victim, Marayna Rodgers, 23, was initially reported missing on December 7. Rodgers, a medical assistant in Washington State, was visiting Las Vegas with friends.

She was last seen alive on December 6 and was spotted entering a car with Harnden.

Police later found her remains in the desert. The Clark County coroner’s office confirmed her identity.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers suspected foul play in her disappearance. The LVMPD didn’t release details on the inquiry, but officers did say a “murder plan” was involved in her kidnapping and homicide.

Extradition Expected

A California FBI Criminal Apprehension Team apprehended Comanche on Friday. He was placed in California’s Sacramento County Jail and initially booked for kidnapping, KLAS reported. No bail was set.

Comanche is scheduled to appear in court in California on Tuesday. He was in Las Vegas earlier this month when the Kings played G-league rival the Ignites at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson on Dec. 5.

A request will be made to extradite him to Nevada to stand trial.

Harnden was initially charged last Wednesday with first-degree kidnapping. She was booked at Clark County Detention Center, where she remains as of Sunday. Her bail was set at $500K on Thursday.

Harnden was believed to be friends with Rodgers.

Harnden also faces a theft charge in a different case after she allegedly stole a Rolex watch.

Comanche’s Basketball Career

Comanche was a 6′-10” center for the Kings team for two seasons, according to the New York Post.

He played basketball earlier for the University of Arizona, where he appeared in 60 games. Before that, he played basketball at California’s Beverly Hills High School.

The Kings didn’t release comments on Comanche’s arrest.