Former U.S. Congressional candidate Daniel Rodimer, who was backed by Trump, is accused of killing Christopher Tapp, who had been exonerated for murder. The incident took place at a Halloween party in a Las Vegas hotel. Rodimer is now facing a murder charge. (Rodimer: AP Photo/John Locher; Tapp: AP Photo/Keith Ridler)
A past congressional candidate and retired pro wrestler reportedly murdered a previously exonerated killer during a Halloween party filled with cocaine on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department recently issued an arrest warrant for murder for 45-year-old Daniel Rodimer in connection to the death of Christopher Tapp. As per the agency, investigators were informed about a suspicious death in late November, which had occurred on Oct. 29 in the 3000 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard. Medical personnel were called to a room in a resort where Tapp, 47, was found injured after an alleged accident. Tapp was taken to the hospital, but unfortunately, he passed away on Nov. 5.
Investigators later discovered that Tapp had been involved in a physical altercation. The Clark County Coroner’s Office determined that Tapp's death was a result of homicide from blunt force trauma to the head.
According to an arrest affidavit released to media outlets, the purported argument between Rodimer and Tapp took place after Tapp supposedly offered cocaine to Rodimer’s stepdaughter. Rodimer got very upset and confronted Tapp in the bathroom, warning him that he would harm him. Witnesses heard loud noises after Rodimer reportedly punched Tapp. Paramedics arrived 20 or 30 minutes later and took Tapp to the hospital.
Other witnesses claimed that Rodimer initiated the altercation and repeatedly struck Tapp in the head and body. Tapp did not fight back, as the witnesses mentioned.
Legal papers suggested that Rodimer was dressed as “Ken” from Barbie and was wearing a fur jacket with no shirt. Moreover, the bathroom where the alleged incident took place was described as a “fun room,” containing cocaine and a $100 bill on a table, as per the documents.
Rodimer, a member of the Republican party, has been unsuccessful in two attempts to secure a Congressional seat. In 2020, he ran for a position in the Vegas area endorsed by Trump but lost to incumbent Democratic Rep. Susie Lee. In 2021, he relocated to Texas to contest for a vacant seat following the passing of Republican Ron Wright, but only managed to secure about 3% of the vote. Additionally, his bid for the Nevada State Senate in 2018 was not successful.
Prior to his political ambitions, he gained popularity as a professional wrestler. He participated in the 2004 season of Tough Enough and performed for World Wrestling Entertainment under the name Dan Rodman in 2007.
Tapp had made headlines for different reasons.
At the age of 20, he was arrested on charges of murder and rape in the 1997 death of 18-year-old Angie Dodge in Idaho Falls, Idaho, according to Death Penalty Information Center. Tapp was later found guilty by a jury based on a recorded confession and a witness who said she overheard Tapp and another man discussing the crime. Tapp was given a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
However, an innocence center later discovered that the confession had been obtained through coercion, with police providing Tapp with details of the murder, according to DPIC. In 2017, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the rape charge and allowed Tapp to end his sentence with the time he had already served. Two years later, DNA evidence linked another man, Brian Dripps, to the crime. Dripps confessed to committing the murder and rape, and the charges against Tapp were formally dropped by prosecutors.
The DPIC reports that Tapp received an $11.7 million settlement from Idaho Falls.
Rodimer surrendered himself on Wednesday and paid a $200,000 bail.
“He plans to strongly challenge the accusations and requests that the presumption of innocence, guaranteed to all Americans, be respected,” his attorneys said in a statement.