LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — What occurred to Las Vegas showgirl Debbie Flores Narvaez?
That’s the query being answered in Friday’s version of 20/20.
You can watch the trailer beneath.
Vegas showgirl murder case featured in new episode of 20/20
You might bear in mind this case from 2010. Narvaez was a dancer who moved to Las Vegas after faculty, with desires of taking the stage on the Las Vegas Strip. She landed a job as an ensemble dancer in “Fantasy” on the Luxor Hotel & Casino.
When Narvaez failed to indicate up at a midnight rehearsal the evening earlier than her premiere, her roommate grew to become involved and known as 911.
“Her not showing up to her job and her show, which I know means a lot to her, is just unusual,” Deon Ridley, one of Narvaez’s associates, informed Channel 13 in 2010. “It’s not like her at all.”
That’s the identical factor her household informed us on the time.
“I can’t make anything of this right now. It’s not her. It’s not like her to go missing,” her sister, Celeste Florez-Narvaez, mentioned. “It’s not like her to take a small vacation like this.”
CHANNEL 13 ARCHIVE: Family, associates bear in mind Debbie Narvaez
CHANNEL 13 ARCHIVE: Family, associates bear in mind Debbie Narvaez
A detailed pal of Narvaez’s beforehand informed us she had witnessed stress between Narvaez and her ex-boyfriend, Jason “Blue” Griffith, who’s a former Cirque du Soleil performer.
“It was obvious that it was her ex and she kept saying wait for me. Respect me. I want you to just wait for me to get there,” mentioned Merriliz Monson, a pal of Narvaez. “It was obvious he wanted to resolve something via phone.”
Previous arrest stories confirmed that Griffith had been arrested for attacking Narvaez, elbowing her in the chin, pushing her down, kicking her, and pulling her hair. Griffith was charged with battery and coercion for that assault.
CHANNEL 13 ARCHIVE: Where is Debbie Narvaez?
CHANNEL 13 ARCHIVE: What occurred to Debbie Narvaez?
After a month of looking, Narvaez’s physique was discovered at a house on Bonanza Way after police obtained an nameless tip.
“Based on the tip that came in, based on the information that we had, based on the follow-up information that was done between the time that the tip was received, it became pretty evident that the human remains we found, were our victim’s and in fact, that our suspect was our suspect,” Las Vegas police mentioned in January 2011.
Police say her physique was dismembered, packed into cement-filled tubs, and sealed in a closet. Detectives informed Channel 13 that Griffith purchased cement and rented a U-Haul not lengthy after Narvaez was final seen at his residence in North Las Vegas. Investigators have been in a position to observe the U-Haul’s GPS.
A neighbor informed Channel 13 what they witnessed.
“The lady told me this was a vacation house and the guy stays in Germany and I’ve never seen no interaction until a couple of weeks ago. We saw a U-Haul truck pull up and a guy moving a bag,” they mentioned. “But that was all I seen, him move in, and that was the first time I’ve ever seen someone come to this house.”
An arrest report states Griffith and his roommate, Louis Colombo, tried to cover Narvaez’s physique at Griffith’s ex-girlfriend’s home in Henderson however she refused and tipped off police. Police acknowledged she waited a number of weeks as a result of she was afraid of what Griffith may do to her.
During a January 2011 court docket listening to, Narvaez’s famliy broke down as they confronted Griffith.
“I would like to know why. I want to know every detail. Why? What did she do to you? What brought you to this,” Celeste mentioned. “You’re ******* going to jail you ******* for what you did to her! You ******** ********! I hope you rot in hell! I hope you rot in hell!”
CHANNEL 13 ARCHIVE: Narvaez household asks suspect why he killed Debbie
CHANNEL 13 ARCHIVE: Narvaez household asks suspect why he killed Debbie
Griffith testified at his trial that Narvaez was aggressive in direction of him and that he feared for his life.
“Then she says to me that’s why I brought it with me and I am going to kill you and kill myself,” Griffth mentioned.
“When she said brought it, did you know what she was talking about,” attorneys acknowledged.
“I assumed she was talking about a gun, but she had said it so many different times I didn’t know what she was talking about, but that was my assumption,” Griffith mentioned. “That was my fault and it was my assumption.”
He informed jurors that Narvaez then reached for her purse and he assumed she was hiding a gun. That’s when he grabbed her and held her tight, not realizing he was squeezing the life out of her.
“I didn’t know because she wasn’t scratching me or gasping for air or anything like that,” Griffith mentioned. “It was nothing like that. I thought she just passed out.”
CHANNEL 13 ARCHIVE: Jason Griffith testifies
CHANNEL 13 ARCHIVE: Jason Griffith testifies
A jury discovered Griffith responsible of murder in the second diploma and he was finally sentenced to spend between 10 years to life in jail. That is the utmost punishment for second diploma murder.
When Nevada Department of Corrections data, it reveals that Griffith had a parole listening to on October 13, 2025, which was not granted. If the parole board grants it, he’s subsequent eligible for parole on Jan. 1, 2030.
You can watch the total 20/20 particular on Channel 13 on Friday at 9 p.m. PST. You may also watch the particular by streaming it on Hulu, Disney+, and 20/20’s web site, beginning on Saturday.
Vegas showgirl murder case featured in 20/20
