Chance Comanche, a former NBA G League player, entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday to charges of kidnapping and killing Marayna Rodgers, a woman from Washington state, in Las Vegas. This plea follows months after Comanche allegedly confessed to the crime and led authorities to where Rodgers’ body was buried.
Comanche, 27, and his ex-girlfriend, Sakari Harnden, 19, were indicted earlier this month by a grand jury on charges related to the kidnapping and murder of Rodgers, court documents revealed. The indictment alleges that Comanche and Harnden used a cord or similar ligature to strangle Rodgers.
Both Comanche and Harnden pleaded not guilty to all charges against them, including murder with the use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree kidnapping with the use of a deadly weapon, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Authorities state that Comanche confessed to kidnapping and killing Rodgers with Harnden’s assistance, leading detectives to the location where Rodgers’ body was buried. The pair allegedly lured Rodgers to a secluded area under the pretext of a prostitution deal, strangled her in Harnden’s vehicle, and then disposed of her body in a ditch, covering it with rocks.
Rodgers was reported missing on December 7, after she had arranged to meet with Harnden and Comanche two days prior. Her remains were discovered in a desert area near Henderson, approximately 20 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
Text messages exchanged between Comanche and Harnden reportedly discussed plans to harm Rodgers, with Comanche suggesting methods of killing her. Following the revelations, Comanche was released from the Stockton Kings, an affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, in December.
