In a tragic turn of events on June 8, 2018, 17-year-old Matthew Minkler, a Caucasian male, was found dead in an abandoned home in Henderson, Nevada. His death, caused by a gunshot wound to the head, was the grim culmination of what was initially described by the suspects as a game of "modified" Russian roulette. The scene of the crime was a vacant house on Cool Lilac Avenue, which had become a makeshift party spot for local teenagers.
The narrative that unfolded through the investigation
painted a much darker picture than a game gone wrong. On that fateful day, Minkler was with a group of other teens, including Jaiden Caruso, then 16, and Kody Harlan, then 17. At some point, Caruso allegedly shot Minkler in the face. Instead of rendering aid or calling for help, the teens left Minkler to die on the kitchen floor. What followed was a series of callous acts, as Caruso reportedly recorded a video of the dying Minkler, proclaiming, "Bro, I just caught a body."
Caruso and Harlan later returned to the abandoned house, not to help their supposed friend, but to conceal the crime. They wrapped Minkler's body in a plastic sheet, dragged him into a downstairs closet, and spray-painted a derogatory phrase about him on the closet door. The two also stole Minkler's wallet, taking about $300 which they later used to buy drugs and a new pair of shoes for Caruso, whose own were stained with blood.
The crime came to light later that same day when Caruso and Harlan were involved in a police chase while driving a stolen Mercedes. Following a crash, they were apprehended, and police discovered a. 357-caliber revolver and Minkler's wallet in the car. During questioning, Harlan confessed to being present at the shooting and led investigators to Minkler's body.
Both Jaiden Caruso and Kody Harlan were charged as adults in connection with Minkler's death. Caruso faced charges of murder with a deadly weapon and robbery, while Harlan was charged with accessory to murder after the fact, destroying evidence, and robbery. Prosecutors argued that the motive was robbery and not a game, a theory the jury ultimately accepted. In August 2019, both were found guilty of first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon. In December 2019, they were sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.
