Criminal investigations often uncover the most unimaginable crimes, but few compare to the chilling murder of Daniel Halseth in April 2021.
Stabbed over 70 times and set on fire, the 45-year-old Las Vegas father was brutally killed by his daughter, Sierra Halseth, and her boyfriend, Aaron Guerrero.
Let's get into the details.
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Sierra Halseth |
Background Of The Case
Sierra Halseth, a 16-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada, and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Aaron Guerrero, began a relationship in 2020.
However, by December 2020, their parents were worried about the couple’s intense bond and their plans to run away to Los Angeles.
As a result, their parents told them to stop seeing each other.
This decision didn't sit well with the young couple, leading to a series of tragic events.
Court records revealed that Sierra’s childhood was complicated.
Her parents, Daniel Halseth and Elizabeth Helgelien, had divorced years earlier in 2011, but custody disputes reignited in 2020.
Elizabeth later expressed her belief that Sierra should have been removed from Daniel’s care, citing alleged abuse.
Despite the obstacles, Sierra and Aaron’s relationship continued in secret, leading to one of the most brutal crimes in April 2021.
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Sierra Halseth and her father Daniel Halseth |
The Crime: How Was Daniel Halseth Murdered?
On April 8, 2021, Sierra Halseth and Aaron Guerrero carried out a brutal attack against Sierra’s father, Daniel Halseth, in his northwest Las Vegas home.
Forensic investigations revealed that many of the stab wounds were inflicted after Daniel’s death, with some forming a ladder-like pattern on his forearm.
To cover up the crime, Sierra and Aaron tried to dismember Daniel's body with a circular saw.
The couple then stuffed his body into a sleeping bag and set it on fire in the garage.
Approximately 40% of Daniel’s body sustained burn injuries, according to the Las Vegas Journal.
Before fleeing the scene, the couple stole Daniel’s debit cards and withdrew hundreds of dollars.
After setting the house on fire, they took Daniel’s car and left for Salt Lake City.
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Daniel Halseth |
Investigation: How Were Sierra Halseth and Aaron Guerrero Arrested?
The
criminal investigation into Daniel Halseth’s murder began on April 9, 2021, when firefighters responded to a fire at his home in northwest Las Vegas.
Inside the garage, they discovered Daniel’s burned body in a sleeping bag, showing clear signs of mutilation.
An investigation of the crime scene quickly identified the death as a homicide due to multiple stab wounds and
evidence of dismemberment.
Detectives later found receipts for items such as a circular saw, bleach, gloves, and lighter fluid at the crime scene, leading investigators to local stores.
Surveillance footage confirmed that Aaron Guerrero had purchased these items just before the murder.
ATM records also showed Sierra Halseth using her father’s debit cards to withdraw cash.
Police tracked the couple to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they were arrested four days after the crime.
Sierra and Aaron had attempted to flee by purchasing train tickets, but they were apprehended before they could flee.
Upon their arrest, investigators recovered Sierra’s phone, which contained a chilling video of the couple laughing and discussing the murder, further solidifying their involvement.
The couple was extradited to Las Vegas, where charges were formally filed against them.
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Aaron Guerrero |
Justice: Trial and Sentencing
The legal proceedings for Sierra Halseth and Aaron Guerrero began after their extradition to Nevada.
Both were charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, arson, and several related offenses.
Prosecutors highlighted the premeditated nature of the crime, presenting evidence such as surveillance footage, receipts for incriminating items, and a disturbing video of the pair discussing the murder.
Initially, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
However, in 2022, Sierra Halseth entered into a plea agreement, admitting guilt to first-degree murder and other charges.
Her cooperation with prosecutors aimed to mitigate her sentencing.
Aaron Guerrero also accepted a plea deal, acknowledging his role in the murder.
During the sentencing hearings, both expressed remorse, but the court emphasized the brutality of the crime.
In early 2023, Aaron Guerrero was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Sierra Halseth, being a minor at the time of the crime, received a lesser sentence: life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.
Both sentences reflected the severity of their actions and the court’s commitment to criminal justice.
Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS immediately.
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