Christopher Tapp’s death is being investigated as a homicide
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - The family of Christopher Tapp was surprised to learn his death is being investigated as a murder.
The family told Local News 8 they were not aware of the investigation before the police department released the information Wednesday.
Tapp spent more than 20 years in jail for a wrongful murder conviction. Tapp was fully exonerated of the crime in 2019. He was awarded $11.7 million as part of a settlement with law enforcement for his wrong conviction.
Tapp died October 29, 2023 in Las Vegas. It was first reported he died after he slipped on a shoe and hit his head on a table.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police reported Wednesday the homicide unit was made aware of the death on November 23, 2023. They said he was involved in a fight in a room at Las Vegas resort before he died. They determined his death was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and are calling it a homicide.
Athena Jenkins said, "We truly appreciate all the love and support that we have received and continue to receive as everyone progresses this horrible tragedy."
His wife, Stacy, passed away just 3 months before his death.
LAS VEGAS (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department media release) - On November 22, 2023, LVMPD Homicide was made aware of a suspicious death that occurred October 29, 2023, in the 3000 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard.
On October 29, 2023, medical personnel responded to a call for service regarding a male, later identified as 47-year-old Christopher Tapp, suffering from injuries as a result of a purported accident. Tapp was transported to the hospital and was later pronounced deceased.
Through the course of the suspicious death investigation, LVMPD Homicide Detectives have learned Tapp was in an altercation inside a room at a resort before being located and transported to the hospital.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office has since ruled Tapp’s death a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.
Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the internet at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.
