Lonnie Theodore Binion, better known as Ted Binion, resonates with the glamorous world of Las Vegas casinos and the dark underbelly of crime.
He was born on November 28, 1943. Binion was more than just a gambling executive; he was a complex figure whose life ended tragically on September 17, 1998.
Let’s look into the convoluted story of his murder, exploring his early life, career, personal struggles, and the controversial circumstances surrounding his death.
Early life of Binion
Ted Binion’s journey began in Dallas, Texas as the son of renowned casino mogul Benny Binion.
With his elder sibling, Jack, and three sisters, Ted relocated to Las Vegas in 1946, fully engaging in his father’s casino realm at Binion’s Horseshoe.
He bestowed a distinctive outlook on gambling in his early years, laying the foundation for his forthcoming engagement in the family enterprise.
Ted also experienced the rugged life of a Montana cattle ranch, spending summers working alongside ranch hands at the family’s retreat.
His exposure to the glitzy casino scene and the rustic ranch life would shape his personality and interests in the future.
The rise and fall of a casino heir
In 1964, Benny Binion regained control of Binion’s Horseshoe after overcoming legal troubles.
With his gaming license revoked due to a criminal conviction, Benny handed over the reins to his young sons, Jack and Ted.
At 23 and 21, respectively, they assumed leadership roles in the casino’s operations.
Ted, in particular, embraced his role as the casino manager, becoming the face of the Horseshoe’s poker tournaments and nightlife scene.
His charming demeanour and love for the high life made him popular among gamblers and socialites.
However, Ted’s life turned dark in the mid-1980s when he was arrested on drug trafficking charges and linked to organised crime figure Herbert “Fat Herbie” Blitzstein.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board suspected him of using his live-in girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, to launder money.
These allegations strained his personal life, leading to the departure of his estranged wife and daughter.
Secrets and struggles
His affinity marked Ted Binion’s personal life for drugs, including marijuana, Xanax, and the street drug tar heroin.
Moreover, his relationship with Sandy Murphy raised eyebrows and triggered suspicions.
In 1996, his gaming license was provisionally revoked, barring him from any management role and subjecting him to regular drug testing.
His struggles with drugs and brushes with the law painted a bleak picture of a man torn between his family legacy and personal demons.
Following his ban from the casino, Ted Binion invested in a mysterious project: a 12-foot-deep vault in the Nevada desert.
This underground bunker contained a fortune in silver bullion, rare coins, and Horseshoe Casino chips, estimated to be worth millions.
The vault would later become a focal point in investigating his death.
Ted Binion murder and aftermath
On September 17, 1998, Ted Binion was found dead on a mattress in his Las Vegas estate home.
Empty pill bottles lay nearby, and an autopsy revealed a deadly combination of Xanax and heroin in his system.
Initially deemed a suicide, doubts emerged due to the circumstances surrounding his death.
The peculiar presence of heroin raised questions about whether a heroin addict would consume the drug that way.
Further suspicions arose when the Clark County Coroner’s office reclassified his death as a homicide in May 1999.
Las Vegas homicide detectives suspected foul play and pointed fingers at Sandy Murphy and her lover, Rick Tabish.
Evidence indicated that the death scene may have been staged. The following trial would unravel a twisted web of conspiracy, intrigue, and greed.
Murder trial and re-trial
In May of 2000, following a widely publicised trial that seized the nation’s focus, Murphy and Tabish were pronounced guilty of the murder of Binion.
Murphy received a sentence of 22 years to life, whereas Tabish was handed down a 25-year-to-life imprisonment term.
Nevertheless, their convictions underwent a reversal in 2003, courtesy of the Nevada Supreme Court.
Which identified flaws in jury instructions and testimony tainted by prejudice.
The subsequent re-trial in 2004 resulted in a different outcome. Murphy and Tabish were acquitted of murder charges but found guilty on lesser charges of burglary and grand theft.
Tabish’s sentence was also reduced to include parole, and he eventually regained his freedom in 2010.
Media coverage of a captivating Ted Binion murder story
The murder case captured the media’s imagination and inspired various forms of coverage.
Actual crime books such as “Death in the Desert” by Cathy Scott and “An Early Grave” by Gary C. King offered detailed accounts of the events.
Television series like CSI and 48 Hours Mystery dedicated episodes to the case, while documentaries like “Who Wants to Kill a Millionaire” explored the intricacies of the crime.
The lawsuit also found its way into pop culture, with fictional adaptations like “The Defenders” drawing inspiration from the trial.
A dark legacy
The saga of Ted Binion’s murder remains a chilling chapter in the annals of true crime.
The story of a casino heir entangled in a web of addiction, love, and betrayal paints a grim picture of the often-hidden realities behind the glamour of Las Vegas.
While the legal battles may have concluded, the enigma surrounding Ted Binion’s death continues to captivate.
