Found Deceased NV - Marayna Rodgers 23, from WA visiting Las Vegas, her friend Sakari Harden, 19 arrested for kidnapping her, 6 Dec 2023 *arrest*

[tlcya]

He told police that Harnden had relayed some issues she was having with the victim, claiming that Rodgers was going to “smoke her” if she did not give her a Rolex watch. Comanche said that he and the other suspect then “began putting a plan together to lure Marayna away from her friends so they could kill her,” according to the report.

That led to the group text chat, with Comanche saying that “Tre” was not interested in helping. The suspect then reportedly said he would offer $3,000 “as an incentive for them (to) complete the job sooner rather than later.”

He told investigators that they were unable to get anyone to help with the murder, so they crafted their own plan.
Ex-NBA G League player, girlfriend set up paid sex appointment to lure victim before killing her, police say

Since Harnden is also facing charges related to a stolen Rolex someone had reported one stolen. If that was Marayna I have to wonder why on earth she would agree to meet up with Harnden and Comanche under such circumstances? If the Rolex was stolen from another individual what was Marayna's skin in the game to want to "smoke" Harnden over it? What kind of idiot plans and executes a murder for their ex girlfriend over a watch? Still missing some pieces here.

 

[Herat]

So the deceased woman, Maryana Rodgers, had never met Chance Comanche prior to the episode that lead to her death?

 

[tlcya]

this article states Harnden was the one who was going to "smoke" Rodgers if Rodgers didn't give her a Rolex:
------------------------------------------------------
An arrest report obtained by FOX5 stated that he immediately told investigators information about the situation. He stated his girlfriend had said she was going to “smoke [Rodgers]” if she didn’t receive a Rolex watch from her. Comanche and Harnden then devised a plan to get her alone.
https://lamag.com/crimeinla/pro-basketball-player-chance-comanche-arrested-murder-las-vegas


while this one indicates that Harnden had told Marayna that Harnden's boyfriend (Comanche? or some other boyfriend?) had committed a double homicide in California and Harnden was upset because she thought Marayna was repeating that info to others.
----------------------------------------------------
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — While Chance Comanche was on the court for the NBA G-League Sacramento Stockton Kings on Dec. 2, he was plotting a murder, according to an arrest report obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators.

“Starting my game,” Comanche messaged his alleged co-conspirator, according to Las Vegas Metro police. “I’ll check half time.”

“Okay have fun,” Sakari Harnden replied. “Good luck.”
[snip]
A motive is also identified in the arrest report. Harden allegedly implicated a man identified as her boyfriend in a double murder in California, according to the report. The boyfriend was in custody for the murder in San Joaquin County jail, police said.

“Sakari was upset at Marayna for telling other people that Sakari had implicated her boyfriend in the murder,” the arrest report stated.
Former NBA player allegedly plotted murder in Las Vegas valley during game, later confessed to police

 

[Knox]

Sakari is my son’s friend. I watched her grow up. This is so sad all around. RIP Marayna.

She looks like a little girl in that picture.

 

[tlcya]

It appears that Marayna and Sakari were friends but Sakari was apparently upset with Marayna. Comanche was Sakari's former boyfriend.

Marayna was a sex worker on the side according to friends. She had apparently been lured to meet with the other two to perform a service of a sexual nature.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

According to the arrest warrant, Rodgers traveled to Las Vegas with her boyfriend to allegedly engage in sex work, Rodgers’ boyfriend told police. Rodgers left their Airbnb around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 to meet up with her friend and alleged sex worker, Sakari Harnden, for a sex work date and did not return.

The boyfriend told police Harnden and Rodgers got into an altercation on Dec. 4 because Harnden reportedly implicated her boyfriend in a double murder in California, the arrest warrant states. Harnden was reportedly upset because Rodgers was telling people how Harnden provided information to police, leading to her boyfriend’s arrest, the LVMPD warrant states.

A longtime friend of Rodgers, who was on the trip to Las Vegas with her, told police he dropped her off with Harnden around 1 a.m. Dec. 6. Rodgers got into a Mercedes vehicle Harnden was driving with a man — identified as former professional basketball player Chance Comanche — in the backseat, who was reportedly the person receiving and paying for the sex work, the warrant states.

Comanche and Harnden dated for a few months previously, but had broken up and continued seeing each other, documents state.

Harnden told police Rodgers left in an Uber after they performed sex acts on another man, but texts recovered by police told a different story.

Warrant: Basketball player and ex-girlfriend plan, carry out kidnap and murder of Washington woman

The body of 23-year-old Marayna Rodgers was found in the Nevada desert on Dec. 15, according to police.

www.king5.com

 

[Herat]

According to the arrest warrant, Rodgers traveled to Las Vegas with her boyfriend to allegedly engage in sex work, Rodgers’ boyfriend told police. Rodgers left their Airbnb around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 to meet up with her friend and alleged sex worker, Sakari Harnden, for a sex work date and did not return.

The boyfriend told police Harnden and Rodgers got into an altercation on Dec. 4 because Harnden reportedly implicated her boyfriend in a double murder in California, the arrest warrant states. Harnden was reportedly upset because Rodgers was telling people how Harnden provided information to police, leading to her boyfriend’s arrest, the LVMPD warrant states.

A longtime friend of Rodgers, who was on the trip to Las Vegas with her, told police he dropped her off with Harnden around 1 a.m. Dec. 6. Rodgers got into a Mercedes vehicle Harnden was driving with a man — identified as former professional basketball player Chance Comanche — in the backseat, who was reportedly the person receiving and paying for the sex work, the warrant states.

Comanche and Harnden dated for a few months previously, but had broken up and continued seeing each other, documents state.

Harnden told police Rodgers left in an Uber after they performed sex acts on another man, but texts recovered by police told a different story.

Warrant: Basketball player and ex-girlfriend plan, carry out kidnap and murder of Washington woman

The body of 23-year-old Marayna Rodgers was found in the Nevada desert on Dec. 15, according to police.

www.king5.com

So Sakari Harnden was upset because Maryana Rogers was telling people Sakari had provided information about a double murder in California that led to the arrest of Maryana Roger's boyfriend?

And the friend that went to Las Vegas with Maryana Rogers was not her boyfriend.

Just trying to get the situation straightened out.

 

[tlcya]

The 6-foot-10 suspect and his former girlfriend Sakari Harnden, 19, worked in tandem to choke Marayna Rodgers, 23, in the early morning hours of Dec. 6, hours after the Stockton Kings played the NBA G League Ignite in Henderson, according to a Las Vegas police affidavit supporting the arrest.
[snip]
The player allegedly told detectives he met his co-defendant 1 ½ years ago through a dating app. Their dating relationship only lasted a few months, but they remained in touch, police said.

The teen suspect had an ongoing beef with Rodgers because she had allegedly been telling common friends “she was going to ‘smoke her’ if Harnden did not give her” a Rolex watch the victim coveted, police said.
Former NBA G League star allegedly admits to strangling woman in Las Vegas

 

[Eli9]

3/13/24

Grand jury evidence reveals more about NBA G-league player involved in gruesome murder scheme

New evidence and transcripts from a Clark County grand jury proceeding, which indicted former NBA G-league player Chance Comanche and his ex-girlfriend Sakari Harnden on murder charges reveal more.

www.ktnv.com

Comanche and Harden were scheduled for arraignment Wednesday morning but their hearing was delayed because the case is currently under review for death penalty.

The pair is scheduled to be back in court March 28.

 

[Eli9]

Footage shows final moments before medical assistant was killed

Haunting video footage shows the final moments before a medical assistant was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a former Las Vegas NBA star and his girlfriend.

www.dailymail.co.uk

In one text message exchange obtained by police, Comanche shared a coffin emoji with Harnden.

'I can snap her neck or just strangle the [expletive],' Comanche allegedly wrote in a group chat obtained by police.

 

[Chimera]

Footage shows final moments before medical assistant was killed

Haunting video footage shows the final moments before a medical assistant was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a former Las Vegas NBA star and his girlfriend.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Newly-released surveillance video shows Rodgers walking with Harnden at a Las Vegas liquor store together. She appears to be smiling in the video that became one of the last times she was seen alive.

Chilling photos from the grand jury reveal the rocky makeshift grave where Rodgers' body was found bloodied and stripped and left in a grave covered by rocks.

My first thought was some type of jealousy ?
Although maybe some theft was involved as well ?

'While Chance used the cord to strangle Marayna, Sakari hand both of her hands on the neck of Marayna choking her,' read the warrant obtained by DailyMail.com. 'Chance said once he stopped strangling Marayna he released the tension in the cord, but Sakari continued choking her.

Red bolding mine.
Sensing more hate/rage from the perp who Marayna was friendly to in the past.

Marayna was quite beautiful, was Sakari envious of her ?
What a vicious betrayal !
Omo.

Rest in peace, Marayna !
May justice be harsh.

 

[Eli9]

As I understood it they took turns choking her.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Prosecution won’t seek death penalty in Las Vegas murder plot case

A former NBA G League basketball player and his girlfriend will not face a potential death sentence in their upcoming murder trial.

www.fox5vegas.com

March 28, 2024

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - A former NBA G League basketball player and his girlfriend will not face a potential death sentence in their upcoming murder trial.

Chance Comanche and Sakari Harnden appeared in Clark County District Court and entered not guilty pleas to all of the charges against them, including murder with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit murder. During that hearing, the state revealed that it will not seek the death penalty.

Judge Michelle Leavitt scheduled a hearing on April 3 to set a trial date in the case.

*****

 

[dulcinea]

Prosecution won’t seek death penalty in Las Vegas murder plot case

A former NBA G League basketball player and his girlfriend will not face a potential death sentence in their upcoming murder trial.

www.fox5vegas.com

March 28, 2024

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - A former NBA G League basketball player and his girlfriend will not face a potential death sentence in their upcoming murder trial.

Chance Comanche and Sakari Harnden appeared in Clark County District Court and entered not guilty pleas to all of the charges against them, including murder with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit murder. During that hearing, the state revealed that it will not seek the death penalty.

Judge Michelle Leavitt scheduled a hearing on April 3 to set a trial date in the case.

*****

What?! I am definitely more of a LWOP proponent than a DP proponent, but what?! The details that have been released about this case are horrific. Any legal thoughts on why they might not want to seek the DP in this case?

 

[grannygates]

What?! I am definitely more of a LWOP proponent than a DP proponent, but what?! The details that have been released about this case are horrific. Any legal thoughts on why they might not want to seek the DP in this case?

All IMO and I’m not sure if this is the reason for not seeking DP in this particular case but it looks like Nevada has a complicated history with DP and actually sourcing drugs needed for lethal injection. They couldn’t find a supplier for their usual drug so they proposed using a fentanyl/ketamine cocktail (allegedly under false pretences) but got blocked by the manufacturers.

2022 the governor requested commuting all DP inmates to LWOP but was denied. Would it affect the judgement of the jurors if they don’t believe in DP ?

The last execution appears to be in 2006 so they could feel like it’s not worth the additional effort to try the DP and keep them on DR when it’s unlikely he would ever be executed, so it would just be decades of appeals and tying up the courts.

Nevada

History of the Death Penalty Nevada was the first state in the United States to use the gas chamber, and executed 32 men with that method from 1924-1979.…

deathpenaltyinfo.org

Nevada’s Plan to Bring Back Executions With an Untested Drug Cocktail

Wanting to prevent further damage to the drug’s sullied reputation, ketamine’s manufacturer threatened to sue to stop Nevada from using it in executions.

slate.com

 

[Tealgrove]

Do we know why they killed her?

 

[modesty blaise]

Just absolute depravity.

 

[Eli9]

Do we know why they killed her?

Some beef about a Rolex watch I think. Brutal nonsense killing JMO

 

[Unalienable Rights]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - A former NBA G League basketball player and his girlfriend have been indicted by a grand jury and will face a Clark County District Court jury trial in 2025.

Chance Comanche and Sakari Harnden are each charged with murder with the use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit kidnapping following the 2023 death of Marayna Rodgers. Comanche ultimately led investigators to her body, which he said he had covered with rocks.

*****
Comanche and Harnden have a status check scheduled for July 3, and their trial is set to begin on March 10, 2025.