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.
Rodgers, employed as a medical assistant in Washington state, was last seen on December 5, 2023, after a prearranged meeting with Harnden, a known acquaintance. Rodgers was reported missing two days later by her family, prompting an extensive investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police in Nevada. The inquiry led to the discovery of human remains in a desert near Henderson, Nevada, later confirmed to be Rodgers by the Clark County Coroner.
Court records reveal Comanche’s confession regarding the murder. He acknowledged planning the murder with Harnden in late November. The duo deceived Rodgers into traveling to Las Vegas with the promise of paying her $1,000 for sexual services. Surveillance footage and phone records supported their account of being together. Comanche described how he strangled Rodgers using an HDMI cord, then manually completed the act. They later disposed of the body in a ditch and destroyed the victim’s phone.
Sakari Harnden was taken into custody in Las Vegas on December 13, 2023, and is held on a $500,000 bond.
Comanche, who played as a center for the Stockton Kings, an NBA G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, was dismissed from the team on the day of his arrest. He awaits extradition to Nevada, being held without bond and scheduled for a court date in Sacramento.
Before his arrest, Comanche had a stint at the University of Arizona and played one NBA game with the Portland Trail Blazers in April 2023. He was averaging 14 points and seven rebounds in 13 games for the Stockton Kings.
Initially, the couple was charged with first-degree kidnapping. However, following the discovery of Rodgers’ body, the charges are expected to change to open murder. The arrest warrant for Harnden and Comanche detailed their premeditated plan, with text messages and surveillance footage implicating them.
Harnden and Comanche each face a potential sentence of life imprisonment without parole if convicted. The investigation is ongoing, with more information emerging from the inquiry.
