A murder-suicide recently resulted in the death of two poker-playing roommates in the Las Vegas area.
According to the Clark County Coroner’s Office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Keith Budner, 70, was stabbed multiple times by roommate Scott Yeates, 56. Authorities reported that Yeates committed suicide after killing Budner.
Budner played in several tournaments from 2006 to 2013, collecting $58,721.
Yeates worked on the operations side of the industry. Previously, he worked for PokerStars and Ultimate Poker. Ultimate Poker was one of the first regulated Nevada online poker sites, but it ceased operations in 2014.
He also racked up $153,406 in tournament winnings.
Police Talked With Yeates Before He Jumped
Police allege the two men were involved in an argument just before the incident that took place about two weeks ago, according to local media.
A neighbor called 911 and reported that a stabbing took place. Then, police found Budner bleeding from multiple wounds.
Budner later died at the scene. Police then received another 911 call minutes later from Yeates’ family. They said he admitted to killing Budner and went to a Las Vegas Strip casino parking garage.
Authorities determined that Yeates fled in Budner’s car after the murder.
After launching drones in the area, officers determined Yeates’ location and were able to communicate with him. However, Yeates jumped from the garage and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Those drones were able to canvas the area,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police homicide Lieutenant Robert Price said. “Those drones were able to locate that individual at one of the Strip parking lots. They directed patrol officers to that parking lot, where as they were making their way up to the parking garage where the individual was located, they attempted to make verbal contact with the suspect, and at that time, the suspect then jumped.
“Those officers rendered aid to that individual until medical arrived. Medical arrived and pronounced that individual deceased on that scene.”
Police didn’t release the name of the casino where the suicide occurred, but some have reported that the incident took place at the Aria. Other reports also note that the two men were arguing over money.
Other Recent Poker-Related Crimes
Unfortunately, there have been plenty of other similar incidents recently.
A Michigan jury convicted a man of murdering another man he met at a poker game. Four men were arrested in Houston in August for allegedly targeting players leaving area poker rooms.
A former poker pro was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and two counts of felony firearm and felon in possession of a firearm in Michigan in January 2025.
