Filipino jailed as a murder suspect in Las Vegas

Murder suspect Christopher Parlade. LVMP

LAS VEGAS — A Filipino is being held in Clark County Detention Center without bail, accused of the murder of a man whose body was found on October 5, 2016, underneath a highway overpass.

Police identified Christopher Ram Parlade, 32, as a murder suspect after the body of Denis Katz, 63, was found. The Clark County coroner’s office said Katz’s death was caused asphyxia, with blunt-force trauma.

Police established Parlade’s connection to the homicide in December when they found Katz’s stolen 2005 Lexus. A report by the Las Vegas Review Journal said the silver SUV contained items related to a prior burglary and stolen vehicle case of which Parlade was a suspect.

A man and woman told police they helped Parlade dispose of Katz’s body. Detectives said Katz had argued with his former roommate through a Facebook Messenger video chat. He tried to kick Parlade and the man out while they were at the residence

“Parlade became enraged and beat Katz in the face with his fists and smashed his head on the hard surface of the floor or wall,” the police report said. Police think one person watched and at least one other saw the act through a Facebook Messenger video chat.