Former NBA Player Extradited to Las Vegas for Murder and Kidnapping Charges: Chance Comanche Accused of Killing Marayna Rodgers

Accident – Death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A former NBA G-league player, Chance Comanche, made his appearance in a Las Vegas courtroom on Tuesday after being extradited from California. Comanche, 27, who recently played for the Stockton Kings, is now facing murder and kidnapping charges. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days.

Comanche stands accused of killing Marayna Rodgers, 23, on December 6. According to Las Vegas Metro police, Comanche and his co-defendant, Sakari Harnden, 19, allegedly plotted the kidnapping and murder of Rodgers. Both Harnden and Rodgers were involved in sex work, as revealed in an arrest report.

Rodgers had believed she was going on a “double date” with Harnden to engage in a paid sexual encounter, but unbeknownst to her, Comanche had posed as a client, as per the police. Authorities claim that they discovered messages dating back to December 1 on the communication application Telegram, wherein Comanche and Harnden were planning the kidnapping and murder of Rodgers.

The report further detailed earlier messages in which Comanche seemed to refer to other individuals who seemed to be aware of the plan. “It’s green,” Comanche messaged on the morning of December 1, noting that he had shared Rodgers’ full name, social security number, Instagram page, and other personal details. On December 2, police found another message from Comanche stating that he had informed his accomplice, who was waiting to consult with others. Later that day, a third person was added to the chat, adding to the suspicions of law enforcement. “It’s time,” Comanche messaged later that night, suggesting that the plan should be relayed to the third person. “Folks ready.”

The report continued to reveal disturbing details of the conversation. On December 4, Comanche messaged, “Get that drunk and mix rat poison or sum in her drink.” He later messaged, “I can snap her neck or just strangle the ,” indicating a willingness to carry out the act. On the night of December 5, Comanche messaged Rodgers, posing as a potential client, while his team played a game at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson.

According to the report, a friend of Rodgers informed the police that she had shown him a series of text messages between her and Harnden, in which Harnden had arranged a prostitution double date. The friend mentioned finding it odd that a man, later identified as Comanche, was in the back seat when he dropped off Rodgers to meet Harnden.

In the early morning hours, while the trio was together, Comanche messaged, “My acting skills are beyond superb,” suggesting that he was aware of the imminent danger. Detectives noted that Comanche appeared to be coaching Harnden on how to handle potential police questioning. “It’s Vegas, she around and got kidnapped. She was with you til such and such time then the guy she was supposed to go meet with called her an Uber and she left,” Comanche messaged, as documented in the report.

Initially, the case was treated as a missing persons investigation involving the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Vice section, given the knowledge that Rodgers was a sex worker. However, when detectives discovered the Telegram messages, the case was transferred to the Homicide section. Harnden was apprehended in Las Vegas on December 13, claiming that Rodgers had left with an Uber. However, an investigation into her claim revealed that there were no corresponding Uber rides at that time.

Comanche was taken into custody in Sacramento County later that week and confessed to his involvement in the crime. He explained that Harnden, his former girlfriend, had expressed issues with Rodgers, leading to their plan to lure her away from her friends and ultimately kill her, according to the police. Comanche disclosed that he had offered a friend $3,000 to commit the murder, but the friend declined to participate.

Comanche provided details on how the murder was carried out, stating that they were parked in a cul-de-sac near Horizon Ridge Parkway and Gibson Road in Henderson. He admitted to strangling Rodgers with a cord, while Harnden joined in and choked her with her hands.

Detectives uncovered a potential motive for the crime. Harnden allegedly implicated her boyfriend in a double murder in California, which was unrelated to the Las Vegas case. This revelation stemmed from Rodgers telling others that Harnden’s boyfriend was involved in the murder. The boyfriend is currently in custody for the California murder.

Comanche’s team announced his release on December 15, despite the pending murder and kidnapping charges. Harnden also faces an additional theft charge for allegedly stealing a Rolex. Both Comanche and Harnden are scheduled to appear in court on February 8 and are currently being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. They have both declined interview requests. Comanche’s lawyer, Gary Guymon, has indicated that he may argue for bail at a later date, while Harnden appears to be represented by a Clark County public defender..