In a central Las Vegas apartment, an argument between two men escalated into a fatal encounter, leading to the death of 43-year-old Robert Rodriguez. The man, a White male, was shot and his body was later discovered on April 28, 2024, wrapped in a tarp and tied with a rope in a vacant lot in the 800 block of East Sahara Avenue. An investigation by the Clark County coroner's office determined that Rodriguez had died from a gunshot wound to the head.
The events that led to the discovery of
Rodriguez's body began about a week prior to him being found. Police allege that Loth Rodriguez, 67, shot Robert Rodriguez in his apartment. According to witness statements, an argument broke out between the two men. Loth Rodriguez claimed he became scared and fired a shot to frighten Robert, but the wound proved to be fatal. After the shooting, witnesses were reportedly told not to help the victim or they would "die right next to him" and were given $10 to leave. Robert Rodriguez remained alive for about an hour after being shot.
Following the shooting, Loth Rodriguez is said to have enlisted the help of another man, 48-year-old Gennady Zhuravlyon, to dispose of the body. Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured a man, later identified as Zhuravlyon, pushing a cart with the victim's remains on April 21. Two days after Robert Rodriguez's body was found, police located and arrested Zhuravlyon. He was charged with being an accessory to a felony.
Loth Rodriguez was arrested on May 3 and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a charge of murder. During a search of his home, police found blood spatter and rope that matched the rope used to tie Robert's ankles. While he admitted to the shooting, Loth Rodriguez maintained that it was accidental. He is being held without bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing. Police noted that the victim and the suspect did not appear to have any family ties.
