A 45-year-old Review-Journal reporter, Jeff German, was found dead outside his residence last Saturday in Las Vegas. According to police, he was stabbed seven times, leading to his death.
The investigative journalist left behind a strong clue as to who killed him – DNA of his suspected killer was found underneath his fingernails. Authorities said that the DNA belongs to Clark County Public Administrator, Robert Telles. Telles lost his reelection bid last June.
The journalist had written articles on Telles’ office’s mismanagement. According to prosecutors, Public Administrator Telles believed that the journalist caused his political career and marriage to fail, and he posted about it on his social media account.
Evidence against Telles, 45, continues to pile up. Security footage shows that he was seen walking towards German’s home, in a straw hat and reflective vest disguise, before the murder occurred. To add to the authorities’ suspicions, security cameras from the neighborhood revealed that a vehicle registered to Telles’ wife was seen at German’s house.
According to Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, the weapon used to kill German has not been recovered yet. They also said that police altered the video of the attack and that their office is currently attempting to restore it. When investigators searched Telles’ home, they found shoes and the straw hat that matched what was seen on the video. Blood was also found on the hat, and the hat was cut up, leading police to believe that Telles tried to get rid of the evidence.
Last Wednesday, Telles was arrested while he was on a stretcher due to, reportedly, self-inflicted wounds, which were not life-threatening. He was put behind bars without bail and was arrested for murder.
The journalist, German, was held in regard and respected by those who knew him. People shared praises, saying that he worked hard and reported news that people need to know, such as crime and corruption. He was described by his family as loving, loyal, and was “committed to seeking justice for others.”
While Sheriff Lombardo found the killing “particularly troublesome,” especially since the horrible deed was associated with German’s profession. Lombardo hopes that the investigation will be addressed fairly and appropriately.
German was working on a story about Telles the week he was killed, according to the Review-Journal.