Chad Ollinger, the 41-year-old star of the Discovery Channel series Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, is now confronting an open murder charge following the death of his cellmate in a Nevada detention centre.
Altercation Leads to Inmate's Death
According to a press release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the incident occurred at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas. Corrections officers discovered a male inmate lying motionless in a cell during routine checks at approximately 11:20 PM on December 26.
Upon entering the cell, officers observed the inmate was suffering from apparent blunt force injuries. Despite prompt aid from officers and medical personnel, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation and Charges Filed
LVMPD Homicide detectives launched an investigation which determined that Ollinger and his cellmate had allegedly been involved in a physical altercation inside their shared cell. As a result, Chad Ollinger has been rebooked for Open Murder. The investigation remains ongoing under the direction of the LVMPD Homicide Section.
Inmate records reveal Ollinger was originally arrested on October 27 as a fugitive from another state and was also facing a contempt of court charge. This is not his first encounter with law enforcement; last year, he was taken into custody for evading arrest both with a vehicle and on foot, according to reports.
From Treasure Hunter to Murder Suspect
The charges mark a stark contrast to Ollinger's public persona as a determined adventurer. Since 2021, Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch has followed Chad and his father Duane as they search for a fabled Aztec treasure on their Utah property.
In a 2024 interview ahead of the show's fourth season, Chad acknowledged the life-threatening risks of their quest, stating, "I don’t want to push it too far where I die... Though without risk there is no reward." He described a previous close call in a cave, noting how a situation became "really scary really fast."
His father Duane has publicly praised his son's tenacity, famously saying Chad "doesn't have an ounce of quit in him." The family man, who is married with four children, sold his crop-dusting business and family home to fund the treasure-hunting operation.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Clark County Detention Center and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police for further comment.
