Mystery surrounds death of Ted Binion

Robert Macy

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1998 | 9:07 a.m.

LAS VEGAS - In life, Ted Binion, son of the late gaming legend Benny Binion, was one of this city's more controversial characters. Now, with the discovery of a $13 million stash of silver uncovered 36 hours after his death, the mystery of the man is confounding law officers.

Toxicology reports are expected to determine a cause of death, but they won't be complete until later this week or early next, Clark County Coroner Ron Flud said Tuesday.

Binion's body was found at his home here Thursday afternoon, a bottle of the prescription drug Xanax nearby. Investigators ruled tentatively that Binion died of an overdose of the anti-depressant drug, but a final result is pending the toxicology exam.

Before dawn Saturday, three men were arrested while digging up silver that Binion had buried in a vault on his ranch at Pahrump, Nev., 60 miles west of here.

Rick Tabish, Mike Milot and David Madsen were taken into custody on suspicion of grand larceny. Tabish and Milot were released on $100,000 bond each and Madsen remained in jail Tuesday.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police homicide Lt. Wayne Petersen confirmed detectives were looking into any possible relationship between Tabish and Binion's girlfriend, Sandy Murphy. Petersen said homicide detectives had been unable to question Murphy but refused to characterize her as missing.

"We have no indication or information that she has left town," Petersen said.

Nye County Undersheriff William Weldon estimated the value of the silver at $13 million and said it weighed about 47,000 pounds.

The silver was hauled back to Las Vegas over the weekend and placed at a storage site Weldon refused to disclose.

Steve DuCharme, chairman of the state Gaming Control Board, said Ted Binion had received permission to remove the silver from the family's Horseshoe Casino when his gaming license was revoked because of drug use and association with mob figures.

DuCharme, a former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer, said it appeared Binion's death was accidental.

"Just from talking to Metro investigators, I believe on the face of it, there was an accidental overdose," DuCharme said. "Possibly after the toxicology reports come back, there may be new information."

Petersen said police still have no evidence of foul play and are waiting for toxicology reports.

"We have received a few calls from people who have concerns and there are a couple of issues we would like to clarify," Petersen said, declining to elaborate.