LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Las Vegas Metro police released a booking photo Monday of the former Republican congressional candidate accused of murder.
Detectives believe Dan Rodimer, 45, who ran unsuccessfully in 2020, attacked a man, killing him, after the man — who himself was acquitted of murder — allegedly offered Rodimer’s stepdaughter cocaine during a party in a Las Vegas Strip hotel room.
As the 8 News Now Investigators first reported, Rodimer turned himself in at the Clark County Detention Center around 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6. Metro police had issued an arrest warrant for Rodimer, who ran for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, on one charge of open murder. In 2020, Rodimer, a former professional wrestler, lost the general election to represent Congress against Democratic Rep. Susie Lee.
Rodimer was wanted in the death of Christoper Tapp, 47, of Idaho, LVMPD homicide Lt. Jason Johannson said. Tapp died after an incident inside Resorts World on Oct. 29, 2023, documents said. Tapp served two decades in prison for a homicide he did not commit.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office ruled Tapp’s death a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to his head. A scan showed he suffered several brain bleeds, documents said.
Tapp’s death was first suspected to be an “apparent overdose” and “fall,” according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. While the incident happened on Oct. 29, doctors pronounced Tapp dead at Sunrise Hospital on Nov. 5. His autopsy noted blunt trauma to his head and recent cocaine use.
Through their investigation, detectives learned Tapp was involved in an altercation inside a room at the resort before he was found and taken to the hospital.
According to the arrest warrant the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Wednesday, Rodimer allegedly became upset after Tapp offered Rodimer’s stepdaughter cocaine.
Sarah Rodimer later texted her husband, “I watched you murder somebody like let that sink in your psychopath,” according to police.
An 8 News Now Investigators source previously confirmed that Tapp served two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit. According to the Innocence Project, Tapp was charged and convicted in the 1996 rape and murder of 18-year-old Angie Dodge, despite being excluded by DNA evidence.
Rodimer’s attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said their client “intends on vigorously contesting the allegations and asks that the presumption of innocence guaranteed all Americans be respected.”
Before Rodimer’s arrest, Judge Eric Goodman reset bail to $200,000, which Rodimer posted. The jail released Rodimer from custody and due to return to court on April 10.
