Chad Ollinger, known from the Discovery Channel, reportedly confessed to police that he killed his cellmate, believing the man was a child predator. This information comes from his arrest record, which was obtained by KVVU, the local Fox affiliate, on Monday.
Forty-one-year-old Thomas Ollinger is accused of killing his cellmate, 42-year-old Chris Kelly, at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Reports say Ollinger strangled Kelly and then repeatedly hit his face against a metal pole.
On December 27th, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that Ollinger was charged with murder in connection with his cellmate’s death.
The report states that Ollinger claimed to have a supernatural ability to read minds, letting him discover personal information about others.
According to police reports, the suspect confessed to killing Kelly, claiming it was justified because he believed Kelly was a child predator. However, the arrest record shows he offered no proof to support this claim.
The Daily Mail reached out to Ollinger’s lawyer, the Clark County Detention Center, and the Las Vegas police for additional details, but hasn’t received a reply yet.
According to reports, Ollinger killed his cellmate on December 26th, following the evening meal. Kelly was found unconscious around 11:20 p.m. when prison staff were handing out medication.
The arrest report states that Ollinger reported his cellmate was sick. When officers checked on him, they discovered Kelly had a bloody face.
Paramedics at the scene confirmed the man was deceased. Ollinger was briefly moved to a different cell while police documented the crime scene and the body.
They then apparently started photographing Ollinger’s injuries, and he reportedly told them, “You’ll need luck solving this case.”
Police interviewed inmates in nearby cells who reported hearing a violent fight, according to a report from KVVU.
According to one prisoner, they heard someone yell for help, saying, ‘They’re beating me, they’re killing me…’
The police report states that during questioning, Ollinger informed officers he experiences memory loss, specifically regarding recent events.
He stated he’s never received a professional diagnosis of memory loss and doesn’t have any mental health conditions. He also confirmed he isn’t currently taking any medication and hasn’t used alcohol or drugs recently.
The police report states that Ollinger told investigators he likely did something significant to Kelly, as he couldn’t recall the event.
According to the arrest record, Ollinger claimed a ‘supernatural ability’ led him to believe Kelly was a child predator. He then reportedly stated, ‘If I find out something bad about someone, I handle it myself.’
However, he admitted to police that he had no hard evidence to believe his cellmate was a pedophile, and it was only his special power that led him to believe that, according to reports describing the arrest record.
According to a report from KVVU, Ollinger told police the killing happened suddenly, without planning. He explained that he loses control as soon as he starts to understand a situation.
According to reports, Ollinger stated he felt no remorse for killing his cellmate and wasn’t concerned about the potential consequences, even a life sentence in prison.
The report claims Ollinger first denied remembering Kelly’s murder. However, he later confessed to police that he had strangled his cellmate for several minutes while Kelly was pleading for help.
According to police reports, the star of The Mystery At Blind Frog Ranch claimed Kelly was found on the lower bunk of the cell when officers arrived. He explained that he couldn’t lift Kelly’s body to the upper bunk, which was Kelly’s usual sleeping space.
Police stated over the weekend that Ollinger is now charged with murder in connection with his cellmate’s death. Prosecutors are still deciding whether to pursue a first- or second-degree murder charge, which will depend on if they believe the killing was planned or a result of a sudden, intense emotional state.
Las Vegas police reported that Kelly was found dead in their home following a fight with another person, according to a police statement.
Las Vegas police say officers found the inmate with injuries suggesting he’d been hit. His cellmate, Ollinger, was arrested.
Officers immediately helped the injured person and requested medical assistance from CCDC personnel.
The LVMPD Homicide Section is leading the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Ollinger has had other run-ins with the law prior to this latest allegation.
According to TMZ, he was arrested last year after leading police on a chase in a vehicle and then on foot. He was later released after posting bail.
Records show Ollinger was arrested on October 27th as a fugitive wanted by another state. He’s also been charged with contempt of court.
Since 2021, the Discovery Channel series Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch has documented Chad and Duane Ollinger’s search for a legendary treasure believed to be buried on their 160-acre ranch in Utah.
For more than ten years, a father and son, along with their team, have been excavating the property, believing it contains a valuable Aztec treasure worth millions of dollars.
According to his Discovery website biography, Duane describes his son as someone who never gives up.
Chad Ollinger is the son of Duane Ollinger, who owns Blind Frog Ranch. He’s married with four children and recently sold his crop-dusting company and house to provide financial support for this year’s ranch activities.
Duane says his son Chad is incredibly determined – he never gives up. So, if anyone is going to explore a mysterious underwater cave 50 feet underground, it’ll definitely be Chad.
Before the new season of Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch begins, Chad spoke with TV Insider about the dangerous situations he and the team face while searching for treasure.
He admitted their adventures were dangerous, saying he didn’t want to take unnecessary risks that could cost him his life. However, he believes risk is necessary for achieving great things. He plans to continue challenging himself with daring exploits, and viewers will see this throughout the new season.
He remembered a frightening experience, explaining that they were once trapped in a cave and had to quickly escape. He said it was a near disaster.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- Vampire’s Fall 2 redeem codes and how to use them (June 2025)
- Clash Royale Furnace Evolution best decks guide
- Best Hero Card Decks in Clash Royale
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Sora Guide: Best Build, Emblem and Gameplay Tips
- Mobile Legends January 2026 Leaks: Upcoming new skins, heroes, events and more
- Best Arena 9 Decks in Clast Royale
- Clash Royale Witch Evolution best decks guide
- Dawn Watch: Survival gift codes and how to use them (October 2025)
- Brawl Stars December 2025 Brawl Talk: Two New Brawlers, Buffie, Vault, New Skins, Game Modes, and more
2025-12-31 21:45