Henderson man admits to killing girlfriend, attempting suicide

Maurice Vanderhall pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after calling 911 to report the crime

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:07am

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An extreme close-up of a broken knife covered in blood, creating a stark, investigative visual that conceptually represents the physical evidence of a tragic crime.The grim physical evidence of a fatal domestic violence incident exposes the harsh realities behind the statistics.Las Vegas Today

A 28-year-old Henderson man named Maurice Vanderhall called 911 and admitted to killing his 26-year-old girlfriend, Kennedi Oriti, after she reportedly tried to leave him. Vanderhall also attempted to die by suicide but failed. He has since pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a deadly weapon and is awaiting sentencing.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for greater resources and support to help prevent such incidents. It also raises questions about the mental health factors that may have contributed to this crime.

The details

According to the 911 audio obtained by 8 News Now, Vanderhall calmly told the dispatcher that he had killed his girlfriend. Police found Oriti with 20 stab wounds in the apartment they shared. Vanderhall also tried to take his own life but survived. He has since pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a deadly weapon as part of a plea deal.

  • On December 2, Vanderhall called 911 from his apartment building's clubhouse to report the killing.
  • On March 17, Vanderhall pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
  • Vanderhall is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6.

The players

Maurice Vanderhall

A 28-year-old Henderson resident who pleaded guilty to killing his 26-year-old girlfriend, Kennedi Oriti.

Kennedi Oriti

Vanderhall's 26-year-old girlfriend, who was found dead in their shared apartment with 20 stab wounds.

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What they’re saying

“I need officers to come and arrest me.”

— Maurice Vanderhall

“I killed my girlfriend.”

— Maurice Vanderhall

What’s next

Vanderhall is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6, where the judge will determine if he faces a minimum of 10 years in prison or a maximum of either 25 years or life.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need for greater domestic violence prevention, intervention, and support services in the community to help identify and address the warning signs before such devastating incidents occur.