Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
StumbleMMA fighter accused in death of ex-UNLV football player at Luxor
Published Monday, June 21, 2010 | 2:04 p.m.
Updated Monday, June 21, 2010 | 3:43 p.m.
Jason Sindelar
DeMario Reynolds
Related Document (.pdf)
Map of Luxor Hotel & Casino
Luxor Hotel & Casino
3900 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas
A former UNLV football player was killed in an altercation with a mixed martial arts fighter Saturday at the Luxor resort on the Las Vegas Strip, Metro Police said.
Police arrested Jason Sindelar, 25, in connection with the death of 26-year-old DeMario Reynolds, of Henderson. Jail records indicate Sindelar was booked into the Clark County Detention Center in connection with murder. He is being held without bail.
Metro spokeswoman Barbara Morgan said Sindelar and Reynolds, who police say were friends, got into a fight in a Luxor suite about 4 a.m. Saturday. Sindelar allegedly punched Reynolds in the face and chest, police said.
Sindelar’s only professional fight was a loss to Ryan Burwick on Sept. 7, 2008. Sindelar has an amateur record with four victories, three in 2007 and one in 2008.
According to an arrest report, Sindelar and his girlfriend got into a verbal confrontation during a party at the suite, and Reynolds asked Sindelar to leave because of the disturbance.
Witnesses told police that Sindelar was intoxicated and belligerent. He tried to grab his girlfriend by the throat and slapped her during the confrontation, the report said.
Reynolds tried to calm Sindelar by holding him in a bear hug on the bathroom floor and saying he “didn’t want to fight with him; he loved him,” one witness told police.
Reynolds let go of him and went into the main bedroom, where Sindelar followed and a brief struggle ensued between the two. Punches were thrown but the fight was broken up, police said.
Sindelar then left and Reynolds took a seat on the couch. Witnesses said Reynolds was sweating and out of breath.
Shortly after the altercation, Sindelar came back into the suite and began hitting Reynolds in the chest, the report said. The mixed martial arts fighter pulled Reynolds onto the floor and continued to hit him, authorities said.
The fight was broken up again and security was called after Reynolds became unresponsive, police said.
Reynolds was taken to Desert Springs Hospital, where he died from his injuries. The Clark County Coroner’s Office said the official cause of death hasn’t been determined.
Reynolds was a 2006 graduate of UNLV and had worked at the Cathouse nightclub inside the Luxor.
Sindelar told officers that Reynolds had provoked him by grabbing him by the throat and pulling him out of the room. He said he came back to the room to argue with Reynolds but did not fight with him again.
Police said Sindelar was the primary aggressor because witness statements indicated he came back to the room for a second fight and continued to hit Reynolds after the former football player took a defensive position.
Discussion: comments so far…
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy. Additionally, we now display comments from trusted commenters by default. Those wishing to become a trusted commenter need to verify their identity or sign in with Facebook Connect to tie their Facebook account to their Las Vegas Sun account. For more on this change, read our story about how it works and why we did it.
Only trusted comments are displayed on this page. Untrusted comments have expired from this story.
No trusted comments have been posted.
Post a comment
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Discussed
- E-mailed
- Superstar Whitney Houston dies at 48
- Two dead after accident in downtown Las Vegas
- Instant Analysis: Debating whether UNLV should continue series with San Diego State
- Police looking for man in white Ford Explorer
- Dining Guide: 2012 Valentine’s Day options in Las Vegas
- Color from the scene at Thomas & Mack Center: We have a wire job! Rebels win, and Louie Armstrong sings!
- Four people injured in car accident
- Blog: Justin Hawkins’ steal seals UNLV’s thrilling 65-63 victory against San Diego State
- After Nevada and Florida wins, Mitt Romney trying to prove he’s ‘severely conservative’ to CPAC base
- UNLV makes key plays down stretch to hold off San Diego State 65-63
Blogs
The Kats Report
Color from scene at Thomas & Mack: We have a wire job! Rebels win, and Louie Armstrong sings!
South Point owner Michael Gaughan's take on 'Vegas Stripped': 'I'll give it an 8' (4 Comments)
Author relishes writing the life story of ‘larger-than-life’ Oscar Goodman (3 Comments)
Elsewhere
Landowner: All roads could lead to Uxbridge casino
Revel reveals smoke-free casino opening
Cirque du Soleil show in Sands China casino to close this month
Meet the woman behind Sheldon Adelson
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
good PR - will the tabloids pick this up
Noooo, not an MMA meathead! Must be a misprint!
Share a cell with the body builder?
As another news source mentioned, Sindelar slapped his girlfriend at the party and Reynolds intervened. Sindelar attacked Reynolds, going into his MMA-wannabe mode (twice) and ended up killing Reynolds.
Didn't another MMA-trained guy kill someone after skipping in line at Stoney's North several months ago?
Love that MMA/UFC stuff but maybe they oughta require a course on what happens when a trained fighter goes up against a untrained civilian...
Please bring your company to Vegas. It is the best city in America, except for the........
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Insane Idiots
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ultimate fighters are insane idiots who will not be able to think by their 45th birthday
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A guy is dead ... beaten to death ... not a lovely way to go ... by and imbicel who likes hurting people
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jail without bail is what he deserves and lets hope he never gets out to kill another person
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In the court of public opinion he's guilty for sure ... now a court has to do its job
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Merci
I say put them all on a leash.
Nice eyebrow wax... yet another victim of ego overcoming common sense; an unfortunate effect of overindulgence in the libation of choice.
Just because you're an MMA fighter doesn't make you a jerk, but many jerks become MMA fighters.
That's so pathetic. He's probably like a roided pitbull. I wonder what his attorney will argue. That he was psychologically hampered by his roiding and drinking to the point of not being able to think or choose? You've gotta have a hell of an ego to do something like that. Guys like this guy deserve no quarter. Imprison him for a nice long time.
Yeah... TAP OUT BABY!!! Friggin roid heads.
First of all DeMario was my friend and his loss is excruciating to those that knew him and loved him. He was a beautiful person, always happy and would give anyone the shirt off his back if it meant he could help! This is tragic!!
On another note, let me clear something up... Jason was NOT AN ULTIMATE FIGHTER or even MMA fighter for that matter. He is a drunk woman abuser, who happened to get in the ring a few times. MMA, Mixed Martial Arts, is a compilation of martial arts that require self discipline, honor and respect. Just because he fought a few times in the ring does make him an MMA fighter anymore than my standing in my garage makes me a car! A true MMA fighter knows never to put hands on anyone outside of the ring... get your facts straight before you condemn the entire sport of MMA for the drunken lack of control of an idiot! I knew Jason too, so I have ever right to call him as he is... a killer. He deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison for taking DeMario's life! Those that love DeMario will NEVER get his smile back, will never get to see him dance and be silly and will never get to hug him again... Jason had no right to take our friend, fiance, father, son, or brother from us! He knew right from wrong and chose wrong... if he is not convicted in this lifetime he will meet his maker and take his punishment then!
God Bless DeMarios fiance', son, brother and rest of his family... We loved him and will miss him also!
randy Couture is like 43 years old. you sound like a bumbling idiot
I SAW JASON'S UTUBE VIDEOS AND HIS SIGNATURE WAS
TO GO FOR THE CHESS. DEMARIO IS A HERO BECAUSE JASON HAD HIS MIND UP IM KILLING MY GIRLFRIEND OR SOMEBODY. HIS HAND ARE A DEADLY WEAPON THE FIRST SLAP WAS ATTEMPTED MURDER. HE CAN LIE LIKE HE WALKED AWAY IF HE WANT THE LAS VEGAS DA'S DON'T PLAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY FIND OUT THIS GUY BEAT
ALL ODDS NO GANG BANGING, FURTHERING HIS EDUCATION,
AND RAISING HIS SON. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY MARIO..
That's why I pack a "heater" !
I think the majority of people who practice caged street fighting (that is all MMA really is) are a bunch of low IQ guys who think that beating people up makes them men. These are the same guys who got beat up, bullied and had their lunch money taken from them in school, or were some inmates "lady" in prison and now want to prove to the world how "tough" they are. This makes them dangerous!
What DeMario should have done is pull out a gun and cap Jason as he came at him and then used the Jason made a "Furtive Movement" toward me so I shot him defense that Metro used recently in a drug raid.
TO THICKER THAN WATER, READ THE POLICE REPORT IT WAS NO FIGHT, MARIO DID NOT FIGHT JASON. I KNOW BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER AND YOUR HURTING ALSO
BUT, MARIO WAS AROUND YOU GUYS SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL
YOU KNOW HOW SWEET HE IS AND HE DID NOT DESERVE TO DIE A DAY BEFORE FATERS DAY. MARIO LOVED JASON BUT HE STILL HAS TO PAY FOR THE MURDER. HE WAS ALWAYS JEALOS OF MARIO IN A WEIRD KIND OF WAY. THE FAMILY THANKS THE MEDIA FOR GETTING THIS STORY OUT IM SURE.
I agree people should have to pay for the actions...i was just saying there are people putting stuff on here just to talk... I guess my point was to just say let these families grieve in peace! it was wrong i dont disagree,its just what is their negativity really going to do it cant change what has happened... thats all.
dam tragic....you never see dope smokers do this.
No dope smokers buy weed from violent drug dealers who bought it from drug cartels in Mexico. As we all know, drug cartels are benevolent benefactors of the the peaasants of Mexico. Idiot!
I have friends that are MMA fighters, most of them have never even been in a fight outside of the ring. Most of them don't drink either. Most of them stop fights when they see them start.
This guy died because of a freak not an MMA fighter.
An MMA fighter? He had one AMATEUR fight and lost, but the media still refers to him repeatedly as an MMA fighter. He could have been a plumber, but they wouldn't continuously refer to him as a plumber would they?
How much money do you want to bet that the coroner's officer finds at least marijuana, and probably cocaine in the toxicology results?
Get the facts straight before accusing Jason of being a killer! The arrest report is absurd! The stories were given by women all under the influence of DRUGS!!! Everyone at that party was on something! So Jason had some fights with MMA, that doesnt make him a killer!!!!
Just wait for the toxicology results and you will see the fight did not kill DeMario. Yes, I am deeply sorry to the family for their loss however pointing fingers to Jason saying he is the main reason his best friend is dead is not the right thing to do. Jason is living with this as well!
Read the arrest report too! None of the stories match up, seems people wanted to point blame on someone and unfortunately that someone is Jason!! The truth will set Jason free!!! I bet it!
This was a swingers party and jealousies got out of hand not to mention that drugs (extacsy,viagra, ect.) and alcohol were probably involved. Wait for the toxicology to come back sounds like he had a heart attack.Smells like involuntary manslaughter at the most
And to top it all off, he was a cheater too. His REAL girlfriend was at home while he was hanging out with this Charmaine chick in a Luxor suite. Cheater, woman beater, best friend killer. Nice. What a nice way to find out that your boyfriend of many months had been cheating on you, right?
heart attack? maybe, but it's pretty common knowledge that you can stop someone's heart with the right chest punch.
'ROIDS make these "gladiators" RABID...like a junkyard dog at the end of it's leash.
I love this MMA Bashing...What about the last time the NBA came to town..lol I know one this he does not wanna go to prison with those eyebrows waxed like that.....All you MMA haters dont have the drive or the dedication to train like you do for MMA news flash I could get a fight In a small MMA promation now.. with very little training.....MMA fighter he is not typical Vegas idiot is what he is ....this is the price of drugs and alcohol...period could been a buch of golfers it a shame the media has to HYpe the MMA thing...
mostly small minds in strong bodies...except the PhD from Russia.. I don't watch the NBA either, I remember those retro-bates from the All Star Game..
The nutbar body builder Titus comes to mind too.
time to take these jocks of the pedestal of our society..
STOP THE PRESSES....STOP THE PRESSES!!!
mred actually said a few things I agree with.
WOW!! He hasn't had a fight since 2008 and he is classified as an MMA fighter! Get over that part already! The news blows up SO much and makes people post stupid negative stuff to something as sad as this is!
sad and unnecessary.
I hope he get the max if not death. This was so uncalled 4 now someone is dead... Horrible..
He was/wasn't an MMA Fighter, he was cheating on his real girlfriend, it was a swingers party, they were friends...Whaaaaa!! Who friggin cares! He's a savage and needs to be dealt with accordingly. You people are so pathetic trying to make excuses on how to justify savages acting like savages!
Get your heads out of the sand, morons! "%^&*" happens and when it does, you have to mind your own business or make sure you get the first shot off and it hits the mark. Everyone else is just a pathetic victim!
IMHO I would rather not read the close minded posts of those uptight sexually rigid people who would like to blame the entire incident on it being at a "swinger" party where they "presume" drugs were involved(which happens at MOST parties and outings nowadays as a norm). To insinuate that some sort of jealousy spurred this might be on track (Jason being jealous of DeMario & his charisma).... jealousy occurs in every aspect of our daily lives; not just swing parties. This could have been an after prom party this occurred at, or a frat party or any sort of party. Don't jump to conclusions and make your judgments on the few "facts" that have been presented. Only Jason and DeMario know what truly happened that evening and its a terrible loss for those of us who have lost our beloved DeMario. Such a meaningless and senseless death. :-(
tcrawford,
An 81 year old lady was beaten to death in her home by a 15 year old who broke in a couple months back in Bakersfield, Calif, His excuse was that the joint he smoked made him do it. So don't use yout tired old excuse that potheads are not dangerous criminals.
In the case in the story, It's a case of a worthless thug beating to death a guy who was trying to save the girl from his abusive ways. He gave his life to save the girl. Hopefully this girl will do a better job picking a boyfriend out next time.
Bakersfield. So because some idiot kid SUPPOSEDLY said a joint made him beat an old lady to death you believe it? I've heard a lot of stories about people saying God made them kill someone. Obviously religious people are dangerous criminals. *rolls eyes*
Anybody with any kind of experience smoking pot or knowing people who smoked it, knows that it makes you very mellow, happy and peaceful.
Don't believe me? Ask the the organization L.E.A.P. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) what they think about it.
moonbeast, every cop I know has the same view as me. The killer I spoke of is a known drug offender and witnesses (his buddies) say he was under the influence. I have no experience smoking pot and I am considered happy and peaceful and sometimes mellow. Stoners who break into houses for their next fix are not peaceful. They are willing to kill for it.
Check out the organizations I am familiar with, They're called "Police" and "Sheriff" with locations in every city, Ask their opinion.
"Stoners who break into houses for their next fix are not peaceful". their next fix? really? grandpa, you are clueless.
1969, Go ahead and call me clueless sonny, at least I'm sober. I find no defense for those who wish to ignore the laws. Ask any cop why most burglaries occur. The word "fix" always comes up.
no stoner breaks into a house to get money for pot - they are too busy eating and being stuck to the couch.
No stoner ever talks about getting a "fix" when referring to pot either. lol
Man you are out of touch and need to actually speak to the police in real cities with real problems. I've spoken to many police officers about pot (LEAP - check it out) and I've never heard one say anything close to what you are claiming here.
Hey Bakersfield, get an education! My post is that potheads are not all peaceful. Also, along the drug path there are many victims along the way. I guess by your post that California's education has gone to pot!
WOW! People are still trying to defend Jason! If you've known him for ANY length of time, then you can't POSSIBLY be surpised that this is happening. He's out of control!I am SOOOO glad this DOUCHE is FINALLY getting what he deserves! There are reasons why he hasn't fought in 2 years! He beats women and deserves to be someones bitch for a change! I guess he didn't stick to the anger management counceling. Whatever! He's where he SHOULD be. My only regret is that he wasn't there sooner!
AND they released him today due to the D.A. not filing his charges yet. WOW
i hears:( but once the autopsy report comes back they should be isuing a warrant. CRAZY!
jason deserves everything he gets! I am from Gillette Wy where he is originaly from and he has always been a punk like that! Always thinking he is some unstopable badass. This is not his first time either he stabbed one of my friends when we were growing up but he got lucky then this time i'm hoping he gets everything he deserves!!!!!
I was on the computer today researching Herculez Gomez a friend I went to high school with who I noticed on the USA World Cup team when I came upon this story. There is a lot of useless talk about pot taking place. The fact of the matter is that a good man is gone. When I knew Demario in high school...he was younger and happy go lucky. I was team captain of the varsity football team and he was on the JV or freshman squad, he would always make his way to the locker room to joke or hang out. He was a genuine person and was accepted by all. He didn't instigate anything or get caught up in fighting and all the things that accompany high school. He always had a smile on his face. I have lost many friends and past acquaintances. This is one that truley saddened me today. May you rest in peace, and may those who were affected by this tragedy find a way to carry on even though a part of them is missing. I can say that I am proud of him for doing the right thing. It could have been anyone with a heart or that will not stand by idle while a predator is taking advantage of the weak. There are many paths in life you can take... some lead to the world cup, others lead to being truley heroic, and yet others are a path of nothing but pain, evil, and hurt. May your path be one worth remembering for good reasons. God Bless.
@ spot- i heard about that story... and there are a TON like that in Gillete!
It's funny to me that there isn't anything about the autopsy posted. There isn't anything about the combined drugs and alcohol in his system. What about the Large amounts of combined MDMA, COCAINE, and ETHANOL intoxication? There was minimal bruising, no vital organs were injured during the fight, etc... Funny the DA has to blame someone. They can't not charge anyone for the other family's sake. What about Jason and his family? He didn't kill this man. People lie. Science doesn't. Maybe the prosecutors should read through the report and call it what it is - a lethal mixture of cocaine, alcohol, ecstasy, etc. This man, as tragic as this is, did not die from being in an altercation. The DA hasn't even issued a warrant for Jason"yet they are charging him with murder with such little evidence? This is pathetic and sad that our justice system has come down to hear-say instead of science and investigating the FACTS. Pathetic. I pray for both families. I just wish the Reynolds were big enough to admit that Demario wasn't murdered. He took too many drugs and his body was unable to handle the effects. Heaven forbid the truth come out -- let's just punish the innocent to save our name. Sickening.
read my post from jun 22------- it sucks to be right this time---but if it walks like a duck ect.