FILE: Chance Comanche poses for a photo at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on Oct. 2, 2023, in Sacramento, Calif.
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty ImagesA former member of the Sacramento Kings’ minor-league affiliate team was arrested Friday in connection with a “murder plan,” authorities said.
Chance Comanche, 27, was arrested in Sacramento on suspicion of killing a woman in Nevada in early December, according to a statement from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The deceased, Marayna Rodgers, was reported missing on Dec. 7.
“Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Rodgers was out with friends on December 5, 2023, and had a pre-arranged meeting with” Comanche, then a member of the Stockton Kings, and his 19-year-old girlfriend Sakari Harnden, Las Vegas police said.
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“Since then, Rodgers had not been seen or heard from,” the department added.
Police said they suspected foul play “early in the investigation” and “obtained evidence” to arrest Harnden and Comanche in connection with Rodgers’ disappearance. They were arrested on Dec. 13 and Dec. 15, respectively. Authorities said they used evidence obtained after their arrests to locate remains in Henderson, Nevada, that were identified as Rodgers by the Clark County coroner.
“Detectives determined that Harnden and [Comanche] were responsible for the murder of Rodgers,” LVMPD wrote.
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Comanche grew up in Southern California and played basketball for Beverly Hills High School in his senior year. He attended the University of Arizona before entering the G League, originally with the Memphis Hustle. Most recently he was a member of the Stockton Kings, the affiliate team of the Sacramento Kings. On Dec. 5, the day police said Comanche met with Rodgers, the Stockton Kings were in Henderson to play the G League Ignite at the Dollar Loan Center. Comanche played 22 minutes in that game, scoring 16 points.
FILE: Chance Comanche of the Arizona Wildcats waits to sub in against the St. Mary’s Gaels during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 18, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesThe Stockton Kings announced Friday in a short statement that they had released Comanche. LVMPD said in its statement that he and Harnden will have their charges amended with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office to “open murder through coordination.” Comanche is being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail awaiting extradition to Nevada. Jail records indicate he has a hearing on Tuesday afternoon.