The Heartbreaking Murder of Amari Nicholson: Two-Year-Old Murdered And Buried By Mother's Boyfriend



The heartbreaking case of Amari Nicholson, whose life was tragically cut short in May 2021, remains one of the most devastating criminal investigations in Las Vegas.

This true crime story began with a frantic search for a missing child, however, it later unfolded into a chilling tale of betrayal and violence. 

Terrell Rhodes, who was dating Amari’s mother, initially told her that a family member had taken the toddler, leading to a community-wide search.

However, the truth soon came to light, uncovering a horrific crime that led to Rhodes’ arrest and a long prison sentence.

Let's get into it

Amari Nicholson

Background of the Case

Amari Nicholson, a 2-year-old boy, was last seen on May 5, 2021, at the Emerald Suites near the Las Vegas Strip. 

At the time, Amari’s mother, Tayler Nicholson, was out of town and had asked her then-boyfriend, Terrell Rhodes, to look after her son.

According to Law&Crime, Rhodes initially told Amari’s mother that a woman who claimed to be her baby daddy’s sister had taken the child for a visit.

This story prompted immediate concern, as the mother had not authorized such a visit.  

The family quickly reported Amari as missing, leading to a frantic search

Community members and organizations like Nevada Child Seekers distributed flyers and canvassed the area near Paradise Road and Desert Inn Road, where Amari was last seen. 

Family members, including Amari’s aunt Yolanda Everett, expressed desperation and pleaded for public assistance, stating, “Until we find him, he is not safe.”  

Despite the widespread efforts, there was no sign of Amari Nicholson, leading to an Amber Alert. 

However, authorities later called it off after they found out that the situation might involve a custody battle, as reported by Law&Crime.

The absence of critical details, like the lack of specific suspects or vehicle descriptions hindered the initial search, leaving the family and community in anguish. 

During this time, Rhodes maintained his story about the alleged family member taking Amari. 

He even participated in an interview alongside Amari’s mother, pleading with anyone who had information about Amari to bring him back.

Meanwhile, he was the actual culprit. 

The chilling moment from that interview can be seen below.



How Was Terrell Rhodes Apprehended?: The Criminal Investigation 

For five days, the search continued, with volunteers and family members tirelessly working to locate the toddler.

However, Amari Nicholson was nowhere in sight. 

Soon, criminal investigators focused on Terrell Rhodes, the last person to have seen Amari. 

During their initial interviews, Rhodes claimed that a woman identifying herself as a family member had taken the child. 

However, his story lacked consistency, and detectives grew suspicious.  

A critical breakthrough came when crime scene investigators searched Rhodes’ apartment at the Emerald Suites. 

They discovered blood and a plastic bag, which contained soiled children’s clothing. 

Under intense questioning, Rhodes admitted to hitting Amari three or four times with his fist after the toddler urinated on himself.

He claimed the child stopped breathing and turned blue, and despite attempting CPR, he was unable to revive him.  

Rhodes further admitted to burying Amari’s body in a shallow grave near the apartment complex. 

Detectives used this information to locate the toddler’s remains, confirming the tragic outcome of the case. 

Further investigation also showed that Rhodes’ attempted to conceal his actions, including his initial false report about a family member taking the child.  

This thorough investigation ultimately led to Rhodes’ arrest and multiple criminal charges, including first-degree murder.

During Terrell Rhodes's interrogation, his behavior escalated when he attempted to grab a detective’s gun while being interviewed. 

This incident led to additional charges, including assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest. 

Terrell Rhodes


Terrell Rhodes Trial and Sentencing: Justice for Amari

In April 2024, Terrell Rhodes entered a guilty plea to first-degree murder and assault on a protected person with a deadly weapon. 

The plea agreement stipulated a sentence of 20 years to life for the murder charge and an additional 1-6 years for the assault charge.  

Rhodes faced the possibility of life imprisonment for the murder charge, with the potential for consecutive sentencing on the assault charge.  

During the proceedings, Rhodes's defense attorney emphasized that he was “mentally tortured every day by what he did,” 

His sentencing was scheduled for July 30, 2024, and according to Law&Crime, he was sentenced to 20 years to life.

This means that Rhodes will be eligible for parole in 2041, excluding any additional time added for the assault charge. 

This resolution brought a measure of closure to the case, though the tragedy of Amari’s death continues to resonate deeply within the community.





Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS immediately. 

You can also see how to report a crime anonymously online if you wish to remain anonymous.

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