Man accused of strangling sex worker at Las Vegas casino said he ‘snapped’
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - A 35-year-old admitted to killing a sex worker in a voluntary statement to Las Vegas police last month.
FOX5 obtained an arrest report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department detailing the strangulation and death of 30-year-old Larissa Garcia. Jason Kendall is booked in the Clark County Detention Center for open murder, sexual assault and battery by strangulation to commit sexual assault.
The arrest report starts with Metro responding to a call of a possible overdose at the Palms Casino Resort June 12 around 5:02 p.m. Police said Kendall made the call.
Casino security were also notified and responded to the hotel room registered under Kendall. A security supervisor located Garcia on the floor with only underwear on. They also found a “large laceration” on her left jawline.
Medical arrived at the scene and transported Garcia to Spring Valley Hospital. Medical officials told police that her toxicology report showed no narcotics or alcohol in her system, and that the victim had injuries related to battery.
Garcia was intubated and listed in critical condition. She died a few days later on Friday, June 21 from a brain injury resulting from strangulation.
In the arrest report, surveillance video shows that Kendall met Garcia in the lobby earlier that day she was found. Police also went through Kendall’s phone and discovered that he had history of viewing Garcia’s escort ad and that they discussed where to meet inside the Palms that day.
Photos taken by Las Vegas police of Kendall showed that he had an injury to his back and upper left shoulder. Up until Friday, June 28, Kendall said he did not want to make a statement to police unless he was with an attorney.
That Friday, Kendall went to Metro’s headquarters and requested to file a police report for an “assault.” Police asked for what type of assault, and he replied saying he assaulted someone.
Metro provided him with a voluntary statement. In the statement, police said he admitted to paying Garcia $2,000 for sexual acts. Jason continued saying he “snapped” when she asked for additional payment.
Police said Jason admitted to strangling Garcia for 10 minutes and then left the hotel room to report police of an overdose.
