Former congressional candidate and pro wrestler arrested in Vegas murder of man who was wrongly imprisoned for cold-case killing
Daniel Rodimer surrendered to police in Nevada after a warrant was issued for his arrest in the killing of Chris Tapp — who himself was acquitted of murder.
Retired Wrestler and Former Congressional Candidate Surrenders to Police in Nevada
A retired professional wrestler and former congressional candidate, Daniel Rodimer, surrendered to police in Nevada on Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the killing of Chris Tapp. Tapp, who had previously served two decades in prison for a murder he did not commit, died last year from a head injury at a Las Vegas Strip hotel [1].
Background of the Case
Chris Tapp was treated by medical personnel on October 29 after being found at the hotel and was later taken to a hospital, where he died. The Clark County Coroner's Office ruled his death a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department opened a suspicious death investigation after receiving new information about Tapp's injuries. Through the investigation, it was discovered that Tapp was involved in an altercation inside a room at the resort before being taken to the hospital [1].
Allegations Against Daniel Rodimer
According to the arrest warrant obtained by CBS affiliate KLAS-TV, Daniel Rodimer allegedly became upset after Tapp offered Rodimer's stepdaughter cocaine. A witness heard Rodimer say, "If you ever talk to my daughter again, I'll [expletive] kill you," and then heard two loud banging noises. Investigators also obtained text messages between Rodimer and his wife, Sarah Rodimer, where Sarah Rodimer claimed to have witnessed Rodimer nearly murdering someone and having to intervene.
Legal Proceedings and Response
Rodimer's lawyers, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, stated that Rodimer was voluntarily surrendering to authorities and would post a court-ordered bail. They also mentioned that Rodimer intends to vigorously contest the allegations and asks for the presumption of innocence to be respected.
Connection Between Tapp and Rodimer
Tapp and Rodimer knew each other through the classic car and racing circuit, according to a family attorney. However, the exact nature of their relationship and the events leading up to the altercation are not provided in the available search results [3].
Political Background of Daniel Rodimer
Daniel Rodimer, a Republican, ran for Congress in both Texas and Nevada. In 2020, he challenged Democratic Representative Susie Lee for her seat in Nevada's District 3 but lost the election. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rodimer during his campaign, expressing support for his candidacy [1].
Conclusion
In summary, a retired professional wrestler and former congressional candidate, Daniel Rodimer, surrendered to police in Nevada after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the killing of Chris Tapp. Tapp, who had previously served time for a murder he did not commit, died from a head injury at a Las Vegas Strip hotel. Rodimer is facing charges of open murder, and the case is currently under investigation [1].