27-year-old sentenced to prison in April 2010 slaying
A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the April 2010 slaying of his former lover.
Brandon Oravetz in November pleaded guilty but mentally ill to second-degree murder and armed robbery for the death of Roger Dayag Galapon, 39.
Oravetz was sentenced Jan. 11 by District Judge Donald Mosley.
Authorities said Oravetz killed Galapon with a hand weight and a pair of scissors to rob him and pay off a drug debt.
Las Vegas police found Galapon’s decomposing body on April 21, 2010, at his residence at the Star Motel, 1418 S. Third St., near Main Street and Imperial Avenue.
Detectives thought Galapon’s body had been there for several days. His body was discovered after Star Motel employees went to collect overdue rent from Galapon, according to court documents.
An autopsy revealed that Galapon died from blunt force trauma, with multiple stab wounds and strangulation cited as contributing factors.
He also had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system, according to the autopsy report.
Detectives noted that several items that belonged to Galapon were missing from the crime scene, including an iPhone, a watch and Galapon’s vehicle.
The vehicle was found, and detectives recovered paperwork that led them to a man who told them his friend “Brandon” let him use the car and sleep in it, court documents show. Oravetz was arrested a month after the slaying.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
