Reality TV Star’s Jail Stay Turns Deadly As Chad Ollinger Faces Murder Charge

Chad Ollinger, a reality television personality known for his appearance on Discovery Channel’s "Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch," is now at the center of a major criminal investigation in Las Vegas. The TV figure, whose show focuses on unexplained mysteries and high-stakes exploration, is facing serious legal trouble after a deadly incident inside a Nevada jail. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, corrections officers at the Clark County Detention Center discovered a male inmate lying motionless inside a shared cell during routine checks on Friday. Officers entered the cell and immediately observed what authorities described as apparent blunt force injuries. The inmate was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say Ollinger, who was housed in the same cell as the deceased inmate, was taken into custody following the discovery. Detectives later determined that a physical altercation occurred between Ollinger and the victim inside the cell prior to the inmate’s death. Police shared with KNTV that the inmate "was suffering from apparent blunt force injuries."

“On December 26, 2025, at approximately 11:20 p.m., LVMPD Corrections Officers inside of the Clark County Detention Center were conducting routine checks when they observed a male inmate lying motionless inside of a cell,” a police statement read. “Officers made entry and observed the inmate was suffering from apparent blunt force injuries. The other cellmate, who was identified as 41-year-old Chad Ollinger, was taken into custody.”

A spokesperson for the Clark County Detention Center confirmed to TMZ that Ollinger has since been charged with open murder.

At the time of the incident, Ollinger was already incarcerated after being arrested in October as a fugitive from another state. He was facing a contempt of court charge unrelated to the fatal jail incident and was set to make an initial appearance on the open murder charge on Sunday.

Ollinger had already been dealing with legal trouble stemming from an arrest in Texas late last year. In November 2024, the "Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch" star was taken into custody after allegedly leading police on a motorcycle chase that escalated into a foot pursuit. According to law enforcement sources, the incident began around 9 p.m. when Ollinger, riding a black Harley-Davidson, allegedly ran a stoplight in front of an unmarked police vehicle.

When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Ollinger reportedly refused to pull over, triggering a chase. Authorities say he eventually stopped the motorcycle but fled on foot, prompting a brief pursuit before police caught up with him and placed him under arrest.

Ollinger was booked on two charges, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and evading arrest or detention on foot, and was released the following day after posting bond.

At the time, Ollinger addressed the incident with TMZ, saying, “All I know is this one thing. It was a hell of a ride until I got off of that Harley crossbone.”

Months before his most recent legal troubles, Ollinger was the subject of a missing person search in Texas. In July 2025, the Amarillo Police Department asked the public for help in locating a man reported missing by his family. Authorities confirmed that the individual had been entered into both the Texas Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center as a missing endangered person, signaling heightened concern for his safety and well-being.

The case drew attention at the time due to the endangered classification, which is typically reserved for situations involving potential risk or unusual circumstances. Ollinger was later located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, effectively closing the missing person case.

No additional details were released about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance or how he was found.

Ollinger gained public recognition through "Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch," a Discovery Channel series centered on underground exploration and alleged paranormal activity.

Now, the former reality TV star’s name is tied to a real-world investigation with deadly consequences. The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.