Sacramento Kings G League player Chance Comanche now facing murder charge in Las Vegas

Former Sacramento Kings G League player Chance Comanche and his girlfriend are facing murder charges in the disappearance of 23-year-old Marayna Rodgers following the discovery of human remains, authorities said Sunday.

The Las Vegas Metro Police Department issued a news release announcing that the Clark County District Attorney’s Office is charging Comanche, 27, and his girlfriend, Sakari Harnden, 19, with murder in the death of Rodgers.

Police said investigators discovered Rodgers’ remains in a desert area in Henderson, Nevada, based on information obtained following the arrests of Comanche and Harnden. Detectives determined that Comanche and Harnden were responsible for the murder of Rodgers, authorities said.

Rodgers, a medical assistant from Washington, was visiting Las Vegas when she went missing. Police said Rodgers was out with friends on Dec. 5, and had a prearranged meeting with Comanche and Harnden, prior to her disappearance.

Harnden was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping Wednesday in Las Vegas. The California FBI Criminal Apprehension Team arrested Comanche on suspicion of kidnapping Friday in Sacramento with the assistance of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

Police said the charges against Comanche and Harnden will be amended to murder following the discovery of Rodgers’ body.

Harnden is being held in the Clark County Detention Center. Comanche is being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail while awaiting extradition to Nevada.

Comanche was in the Las Vegas area on Dec. 5 when the Stockton Kings, a G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, played the G League Ignite at Dollar Loan Center in nearby Henderson. Stockton then visited the Rip City Remix on Dec. 9 in Portland, Oregon, before returning to California to play the Salt Lake City Stars on Tuesday. The Kings released Comanche on Friday, shortly before he was booked into the Sacramento County jail.

Comanche, a 6-foot-11 center, starred at Beverly Hills High School and went on to play at University of Arizona, where he appeared in 60 games from 2015-17. After going undrafted in 2017, Comanche played for the G League’s Memphis Hustle and Canton Charge, the Basketball League’s Enid Outlaws and Yeni Mamak Spor of the Turkish Basketball First League.

Comanche signed with the Stockton Kings in November 2022. He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers last season and made his NBA debut against the Golden State Warriors on April 9.

Comanche signed with the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 2. He was waived 10 days later but subsequently re-signed with the Stockton Kings.