On Sunday April 21, Sin City Murders takes viewers back to the deadly bombing at the iconic Luxor Casino in Las Vegas, an act of violence that shocked the city and exposed a sinister plot of jealousy and revenge.
On May 7, 2007, a pipe bomb detonated on the roof of the Luxor’s parking garage, killing 24-year-old Willebaldo Dorantes Antonio. The bomb was hidden inside a Styrofoam coffee cup placed on top of Antonio’s car and was triggered by a motion sensor. The explosion injured Antonio’s right hand and lodged a piece of metal in his head. His girlfriend, Caren Chali, who was with him at the time, escaped unharmed.
The investigation that followed revealed a complex web of jealousy and revenge. It was discovered that Omar Rueda-Denvers, jealous of Antonio’s relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Chali, had conspired with Porfirio Duarte-Herrera to build and plant the bomb. Duarte-Herrera, a bombmaker, had previously planted a bomb outside a Las Vegas Home Depot in 2006.
Rueda-Denvers and Duarte-Herrera were both convicted of murder and attempted murder, among other charges, and sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, Rueda-Denvers was granted a retrial in 2019 due to a technicality and was once again found guilty of all charges.
The episode also examines the aftermath of the bombing, exploring the impact on the victims, their families, and the Las Vegas community. It raises questions about security and the potential dangers still posed by the perpetrators. Duarte-Herrera, who escaped from prison in 2022, remains on the loose, sparking fears and concerns among residents, especially those living near the prison.
Sin City Murders provides a detailed and gripping account of this shocking crime, offering insights into the minds of the perpetrators and the challenges faced by investigators.
Sin City Murders: Bombing at the Luxor Casino airs Sunday April 21, 2024 at 7.00pm on Oxygen.
