Body lies on concrete floor with cold walls and rusty bars in a Las Vegas detention center cell and TV flickers in dim light

Reality TV Star Charged with Murder After Cellmate Found Dead

At a Glance

  • Reality TV star Chad Ollinger charged with murder after cellmate found dead in Las Vegas detention center.
  • Cellmate identified as Christopher Kelly, 42, who suffered blunt-force injuries.
  • Chad Ollinger arrested on Oct. 27, 2023, after being flagged as a fugitive from another state.
  • Why it matters: The case highlights the serious legal risks faced by celebrities and raises questions about safety in detention facilities.

On Oct. 27, 2023, reality TV star Chad Ollinger was arrested in Nevada after authorities identified him as a fugitive from another state. The arrest followed a fatal incident that occurred at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas.

During a routine cell inspection at around 11:20 p.m. PST on Friday, correction officers discovered Christopher Kelly, 42, lying motionless inside the cell. The Clark County Coroner’s Office confirmed Kelly had suffered apparent blunt-force injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators determined a physical altercation had taken place between Kelly and Ollinger, leading to Ollinger being rebooked for Open Murder by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Ollinger, who has starred in the Discovery Channel series Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch since 2021, is the son of Duane Ollinger, owner of the ranch in eastern Utah where the show is filmed. The series follows the father-son duo as they search for gold on the property.

In unrelated jail records, Rob Reiner’s son, Nick, was noted as being held early Monday, though no direct connection to the case has been established.

Chad Ollinger raising hands with harsh light and a motionless figure in a cold Las Vegas jail cell.

Key Takeaways

  • Chad Ollinger faces a murder charge following the death of his cellmate.
  • The incident occurred during a routine check at 11:20 p.m. PST on a Friday.
  • The case underscores the serious legal consequences that can arise even for well-known public figures.

The case underscores the serious legal consequences that can arise even for well-known public figures.

Author

  • Cameron found his way into journalism through an unlikely route—a summer internship at a small AM radio station in Abilene, where he was supposed to be running the audio board but kept pitching story ideas until they finally let him report. That was 2013, and he hasn't stopped asking questions since.

    Cameron covers business and economic development for newsoffortworth.com, reporting on growth, incentives, and the deals reshaping Fort Worth. A UNT journalism and economics graduate, he’s known for investigative business reporting that explains how city hall decisions affect jobs, rent, and daily life.

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