Was Las Vegas murder victim a scam artist?
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Several people have told the 8 News Now Investigators they were scammed by a man who was murdered in August of 2023.
Aaron Chavez, 30, died of blunt force trauma to the head on Aug. 13, according to the San Bernardino County coroner.
A California man who asked not to be identified said in an interview he and his business partner gave Chavez $25,000 to invest in protein cookies, however, Chavez made excuses when they asked about their investment. Eventually, Chavez’s clients connected on social media once they realized they may have been scammed.
On Chavez’s Instagram page, he appeared to live a life of luxury.
“I was texting our group chat saying he’s gonna fake his death,” the investor told the 8 News Now Investigators.
The body of Chavez was discovered in a desert area near Baker, California after the vehicle of his suspected killer, Gino Julian became stuck in the sand. Two tow truck drivers responded and said they found Julian, 30, sleeping in the car as the body of Chavez was approximately 10 feet from his vehicle.
Julian was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators believed the killing took place at a home in Las Vegas. A grand jury in Clark County later indicted him for charges including open murder.
The 8 News Now Investigators obtained evidence from the criminal case, including numerous text messages. Before the alleged murder, Chavez and Julian, who went by an alias, argued via text.
Chavez texted, “If I’m touched you will be sued.”
Julian responded, “Dead men can’t sue.”
Las Vegas Metro police also found text messages between Julian and a man identified as Stefan Jakubov.
Jakubov texted, “Break his face,” and “Delete our convos,” according to police.
“Where should I put on the show?” Julian texted. “Is there bleach or chlorine?”
One video clip shows Chavez’s lifeless body inside a home. Multiple video clips appear to show Julian pouring gasoline on Chavez’s body which was wrapped in blankets.
“What does it feel like to be disrespected? It sucks, right?” Julian said as he recorded himself. “I almost feel sorry for him. What else did you think was gonna happen, you know?”
Julian also referred to “street justice.”
Julian told police Chavez had a lot of money that he gained through Ponzi schemes, and that there were many people mad at him, according to grand jury transcripts.
A jury trial for Julian is scheduled for May. He remains in custody in the Clark County Detention Center in downtown Las Vegas. He declined the 8 News Now Investigators’ requests for an interview.
A warrant was issued on March 6 for Jakubov, according to Las Vegas Justice court records.
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