Binion probe continues

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1998 | 11:39 a.m.

Ted Binion obtained a prescription for 120 tablets of the sedative Xanax a day before he died last Thursday of a suspected drug overdose, informed sources have told the SUN.

An empty bottle of Xanax in Binion's name with a prescription date of last Wednesday was found next to his body when police arrived at his Palomino Lane home on Thursday, the sources said.

Xanax, which is related to Valium, is a common tranquilizer used to treat stress or anxiety disorders. A large quantity of Xanax mixed with alcohol can be fatal.

The whereabouts of the 120 tablets is one of many mysteries surrounding the death of the colorful former casino executive.

It further explains why police have been reluctant to suggest foul play in Binion's death until they see the results of toxicology tests within the week. An autopsy on Friday found no evidence of trauma to Binion's body.

But his sister, Horseshoe Club hotel-casino owner Becky Behnen, has urged police to consider his death a homicide until it can be proven he died of a drug overdose.

All of Binion's friends and family members, so far, have said he was in good spirits and would not have killed himself.

The weekend theft of millions of dollars in silver coins and bars Binion had buried in Pahrump has increased speculation of foul play among family members to the point where the family has considered hiring a private detective to probe his death.

Creating even more suspicions are rumors that Binion's live-in girlfriend, ex-topless dancer Sandy Murphy, may have had a romantic relationship with the chief suspect in the silver theft, Missoula, Mont. contractor Rick Tabish. Tabish was arrested early Saturday with two other men, David Madsen and Mike Milot, after they allegedly had dug up the silver and loaded it into a large dump truck.

The family has received word that Tabish and Murphy were seen together at a Beverly Hills hotel a week before Binion died.

Police hoped to question Murphy as early as today. Detectives were unable to talk at length with her the day of his death because she appeared too distraught. Paramedics had to take her to the hospital.

A tearful Murphy, who has had drug and alcohol problems herself over the years, showed up at Binion's funeral Tuesday escorted by criminal defense lawyers Oscar Goodman and David Chesnoff. All three sat together in the back of the church.

Tabish, a 33-year-old ex-felon who had befriended Binion a year ago, also was said to have attended the funeral. He is free on $100,000 bond while Nye County Sheriff's deputies press ahead with their investigation into the silver heist. All of the treasure, estimated to worth $3 million to $4 million, was recovered by deputies.

Tabish, who comes from a prominent Missoula family, has convictions for trafficking in cocaine and burglary. He pleaded guilty in 1987 to stealing an expensive painting from one of his Missoula attorneys.

His Las Vegas lawyer, Louis Palazzo, denied Tuesday that Tabish was having an affair with Murphy.

"I have no reason to believe that there is anything to support that contention," Palazzo said.

He added that Murphy was "devoted to Teddy."

On Tuesday, Metro Homicide Lt. Wayne Petersen said that even if Tabish and Murphy were romantically involved, it doesn't necessarily mean Binion was murdered.

Strengthening the police drug overdose theory is the discovery of heroin paraphernalia in Binion's bathroom the day of his death, according to sources close to the investigation.

Binion, 55, had a long history of heroin abuse, an addiction that ultimately led state gaming regulators to revoke his license in May. Strict drug testing, however, showed he was free of heroin in recent years.

Homicide detectives have been told by Binion associates that Binion used Xanax to clean his system of heroin, sources said.

Binion's Las Vegas Realtor, Barbara Brown, meanwhile, has stepped forward to reveal a telephone conversation she had with Murphy only hours before Murphy reported his death to police last Thursday.

Brown said she telephoned Binion about 12:25 p.m. to confirm a lunch appointment with him on Friday. She had planned to show Binion a four-acre plot of land near Rancho Road and Vegas Drive.

Murphy answered the phone in a distressed state, Brown said.

"She said 'he's out of it. He's knocked out. No one knows what it's like living with a drug addict,"' Brown said.

Brown offered to come over to the house, but Murphy wouldn't let her.

Murphy, she said, told her that Binion didn't want anyone to see him in his current state.

Brown said she found that odd considering Binion had agreed on Wednesday to meet her for lunch on Friday.

"I said he seemed fine last night," Brown explained. "Then she said he had gone to the doctor to get a prescription drug."

Brown said Murphy told her that she better call back in the evening to confirm her appointment with Binion.

"She was clearly upset and crying," Brown said. "I knew something was wrong."

Murphy has told detectives she left the house that afternoon and returned shortly before 4 p.m. to find Binion's body on a sleeping bag in the television room with the empty bottle of Xanax at his side.

Murphy and her lawyers could not be reached for comment.

But her own problems with alcohol and drugs had caused embarrassment to Binion in the past couple of years.

In October 1997, Murphy's alleged use of marijuana while living with Binion became the subject of a complaint against Binion seeking to revoke his gaming license.

Binion, who once put Murphy in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center, had testified earlier during his disciplinary proceedings at the state Gaming Control Board that Murphy had admitted to him that she used cocaine in his house.

He testified that he had seen what he thought was cocaine in her bedroom.

The counts against Binion relating to Murphy ultimately were dropped, as state gaming agents concentrated their efforts at forcing Binion out of the casino industry because of his ties to underworld figures.