Former NBA Player Taken Into Custody

(RepublicanPress.org) – Chance Comanche is a former basketball player who played for the Arizona Wildcats at the University of Arizona for two years before moving on to other teams in the NBA and the G League — most recently, the Stockton Kings. While Comanche might’ve made the news in the sports realm for his rebounds and turnovers, this time, the headlines were not about his athletic prowess.

On December 17, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) released a statement about a murder allegedly executed by 27-year-old Comanche and his 19-year-old girlfriend, Sakari Harnden. The victim was 23-year-old Marayna Rodgers, whose remains were found in a Nevada desert. During the initial investigation into Rodgers’ disappearance, police learned she had arranged a meeting with Harnden and Comanche on December 5. That was the last time anyone saw the woman.

FBI arrests Kings G League player in connection to 23-year-old woman's kidnapping in Las Vegas https://t.co/sVkcAxM4sD pic.twitter.com/xat2IEOtJT

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) December 17, 2023

The LVMPD stated they arrested Harnden on December 13 for kidnapping, and the FBI in California picked up the former ball player two days later in California. Upon further examination, authorities believe the pair murdered Rodgers and charged them accordingly.

After Comanche’s arrest, the Kings released the athlete from the team. He is currently awaiting extradition from California to Nevada to face his charges. The most recent report from ABC6 stated that the former athlete was being held without bail, and Harnden was detained on $500,000 bail. It’s unclear if she is still in police custody. However, Blaze Media reported the 19-year-old is also facing another charge — theft. In an ongoing case in Las Vegas, Harnden is accused of stealing a Rolex watch.

Comanche was due in a Sacramento County court on December 19, while his girlfriend is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 28. Few details were released about the victim other than she was from Lynnwood and was on a trip to Las Vegas when she was murdered. Comanche has reportedly confessed to the killing.