Chad Ollinger, a cast member on the Discovery Channel series Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, is facing an open murder charge after authorities say a fellow inmate was beaten to death inside a Las Vegas jail cell.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed to The New York Daily News that correctional officers at the Clark County Detention Center discovered an inmate unresponsive during a routine security check around 11:15 p.m. on Friday, December 26. Ollinger, 41, was reportedly the only other person inside the cell at the time.
Police said the unidentified inmate showed “apparent blunt force injuries.” Jail staff and first responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later determined that a physical altercation had taken place earlier in the day between Ollinger and the victim, according to authorities.
As a result of the investigation, Ollinger was rebooked on an open murder charge and is currently being held without bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for December 30.
Jail records show Ollinger has been incarcerated since late October on an out-of-state warrant related to a contempt-of-court case. He was sentenced on that charge on December 18 and was expected to be released in mid-January 2026, before the new charge.
Ollinger is best known for his role on Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch. This reality series follows Ollinger and his father, Duane Ollinger, as they search for alleged hidden treasure on their family’s property in eastern Utah. The show has aired for five seasons on the Discovery Channel.
Outside of television, Ollinger has had multiple recent encounters with law enforcement. In November 2024, he was arrested in Texas after allegedly fleeing police on a motorcycle following a traffic stop. Authorities said he ran a stop sign, sped away from officers, and continued fleeing on foot. A grand jury later indicted him in that case.
In February 2025, Ollinger was arrested again in Texas on a charge of driving with an invalid license. Months later, in July, his family reported him missing after he failed to return home. He was entered into the National Crime Information Center database before being located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shortly afterward.
The identity of the deceased inmate has not been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.