Inmate Facing Murder Trial Dies at High Desert State Prison

A North Las Vegas man who was awaiting trial in a murder case has died while in state custody, according to the Nevada Department of Corrections.

Prison officials confirmed that 30-year-old Markeem Benson died Monday, Dec. 22, at High Desert State Prison near Indian Springs. The department said an autopsy has been requested to determine the cause of death.

At the time of his death, Benson was serving a sentence related to a 2024 attempted robbery conviction. He was also facing separate charges in the shooting death of his girlfriend, 33-year-old Renise “Nene” Wolfe.

North Las Vegas Police arrested Benson in December of last year following the incident. Court records show that Benson’s father contacted 911, reporting that his son wanted to turn himself in. Investigators later stated that Benson told his father he believed he had killed Wolfe during a physical altercation involving a firearm.

According to police documents, Benson claimed there was a struggle and the gun discharged. A grand jury subsequently indicted him on charges of murder and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Benson entered a not-guilty plea.

A jury trial had been scheduled to begin in April. However, prosecutors requested a hearing later this month to address the case status following Benson’s death.

Authorities have not released additional details pending the autopsy results.

Source: KSNV