In a shocking turn of events, retired professional wrestler and former congressional candidate, Daniel Rodimer, has turned himself in to Las Vegas police on a murder charge. The arrest warrant was issued in connection to the death of 47-year-old Christopher Tapp, who tragically passed away last year from a head injury sustained at a Las Vegas Strip hotel. What adds a layer of complexity to this case is Tapp’s history – he spent two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit, and his exoneration marked a milestone in his life.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department issued the arrest warrant for 45-year-old Daniel Rodimer on a charge of open murder. Tapp was initially treated by medical personnel on October 29, 2023, after being found injured at the Resorts World Las Vegas resort and casino. He was later taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The Clark County Coroner’s Office ruled Tapp’s death a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head.
Rodimer, a former WWE developmental talent known for his persona “Dan Rodman,” gained national prominence in 2020 when he ran for Nevada’s 3rd congressional seat, receiving an endorsement from then-President Donald Trump. Despite the endorsement, Rodimer lost to incumbent Congresswoman Susie Lee by just 3%. He later moved to Texas and participated in a special congressional election in 2021 but garnered less than 3% of the vote.
The circumstances surrounding Tapp’s death took a grim turn as detectives learned about an altercation between Tapp and Rodimer inside a hotel room. According to the arrest warrant, a witness heard Rodimer making threats after an alleged offer of cocaine to Rodimer’s stepdaughter, stating, “If you ever talk to my daughter again, I’ll [expletive] kill you.” The witness then reported hearing two loud banging noises.
Rodimer’s lawyers, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, released a statement confirming their client’s voluntary surrender and emphasized his intention to vigorously contest the allegations, asking for the presumption of innocence to be respected.
The unfolding events have reignited public interest in Rodimer’s controversial political career, marked by a failed congressional bid and accusations of misrepresentations, including falsely claiming Trump’s endorsement. Additionally, Rodimer’s past legal issues, such as assault accusations and a 2010 arrest for battery, have come under renewed scrutiny.
As the legal proceedings against Daniel Rodimer progress, the case remains entwined with the tragic story of Christopher Tapp, who, after being wrongfully convicted in 1998, spent years fighting for justice. His exoneration in 2019 shed light on flaws in the criminal justice system, and now, his untimely death adds a chilling chapter to a saga that continues to captivate public attention.