Chance Comanche, a 27-year-old former NBA G League player, and his girlfriend, 19-year-old Sakari Harnden, have been arrested in connection with the murder of 23-year-old Marayna Rodgers.
Marayna Rodgers, a medical assistant from Washington state, went missing after meeting with Sakari Harnden, an acquaintance, on December 5, 2023. Following her disappearance, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police in Nevada initiated a rigorous investigation. This investigation led to the discovery of human remains in a desert area near Henderson, Nevada, which were later identified as Rodgers’ by the Clark County Coroner.
Court documents indicate that Comanche confessed to his involvement in Rodgers’ murder. He and Harnden reportedly planned the murder in November, enticing Rodgers to Las Vegas with a false offer of $1,000 for sexual services. Evidence, including surveillance footage and phone records, confirmed their meeting. Comanche admitted to using an HDMI cord to strangle Rodgers and then manually finishing the act. The body was disposed of in a ditch, and Rodgers’ phone was destroyed.
Sakari Harnden was arrested on December 13, 2023, in Las Vegas and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Comanche, formerly a center for the Stockton Kings, an NBA G League team, was released by the team on his arrest day and is now awaiting extradition to Nevada. He is being held without bond and has a scheduled court appearance in Sacramento.
Comanche, who played for the University of Arizona and made a single NBA appearance with the Portland Trail Blazers, was averaging 14 points and seven rebounds over 13 games with the Stockton Kings prior to his arrest.
Initially facing first-degree kidnapping charges, the case against Harnden and Comanche is expected to be elevated to open murder following the discovery of Rodgers’ remains. The arrest warrant disclosed that they had plotted the crime, with evidence including text messages and video surveillance.
If found guilty, Harnden and Comanche face life imprisonment without parole. The ongoing investigation continues to uncover further details about the case
