A North Las Vegas man awaiting trial in his girlfriend's killing died Tuesday at High Desert State Prison, according to state prison officials. Markeem Benson, 30, had been jailed on an open murder charge in the December 2024 death of 33-year-old Renise Wolfe. Authorities have requested an autopsy, and the case is scheduled to return to court later this month so a judge can sort out the procedural fallout from his death.
Prison Officials Confirm Death And Autopsy Request
The Nevada Department of Corrections confirmed Benson died at High Desert State Prison and has requested an autopsy, according to KTNV. The station reported that Benson, 30, had been transferred from Clark County to NDOC custody on March 14, after receiving a 24-to-60 month sentence for attempted robbery. Officials have not released a cause of death and say the case is under review by corrections investigators.
Charges Stem From December 2024 Killing
North Las Vegas police said Wolfe was found dead in an apartment on Dec. 22, 2024, and Benson was arrested and booked on open murder charges, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Detectives alleged Wolfe suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and court filings described a delay in notifying authorities after the shooting. Family members of both Wolfe and Benson appeared at court hearings last year, reacting sharply as the high-profile case moved through the system.
Evidence Presented To Prosecutors
Investigators showed a doorbell video and other footage to a grand jury that prosecutors say undercut Benson's self-defense claim, and crime-scene photographs were among the material reviewed, according to 8 News Now. The outlet reported that court records list a hearing for Dec. 30, where prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to dismiss the charges following Benson's death.
What Happens Next In Court
When a defendant dies before trial, the criminal case generally comes to a halt and prosecutors typically move to dismiss the charges. The Dec. 30 hearing is expected to formalize that step in Benson's case. Any civil claims or unrelated inquiries, including the investigation into Benson's death in custody, can proceed separately from the now-stalled criminal docket.
Prison Safety And Recent Inmate Deaths
Benson's death comes as Nevada's prison system faces heightened scrutiny after multiple inmates died at High Desert and other state facilities earlier this year, triggering renewed calls for transparency, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Lawmakers and advocacy groups have said they plan to follow NDOC's internal review and any findings from the coroner closely.
Benson's father previously told police his son intended to surrender after the shooting, and Wolfe's family has publicly demanded justice since her death, according to earlier coverage. The NDOC has said it will cooperate with outside inquiries, and the Clark County coroner is set to perform the autopsy, KTNV reported.
