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A teen couple took to YouTube to joke about killing someone while on the run, just a few days after the girl's father was found dead in his garage in Las Vegas, the New York Daily News reported.
Sierra Halseth, 16, and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Aaron Guerrero, recorded themselves laughing as Guerrero opened the video by saying, "Welcome back to our Youtube channel, day three after murdering somebody."
Halseth giggled, and then said: "Whoa! Don't put that on camera." Guerrero added, "It was worth it," before kissing his girlfriend on the forehead. The video was used by prosecutors as evidence against them.
Halseth's father, Daniel, was found stabbed and burned in the garage of his home in Las Vegas. The New York Daily News reported that authorities believe the couple repeatedly stabbed Daniel and then stuffed his body inside a sleeping bag before setting it on fire.
Officers also told Fox5 that they suspected the couple had attempted to dismember the body, as blood was found on a circular saw, which Guerrero had bought the day before, along with saw blades, bleach, lighter fluid, disposable gloves and a dropcloth, according to jury transcripts.
The court documents reported that Halseth and Guerrero had been dating for approximately six months before their parents had told them they could no longer see each other.
Suspicions arose when Daniel's family could not get a hold of him, and text messages obtained by KLAS showed Halseth's grandmother asking her why she could not get ahold of her son.
"His phone has been acting up, but he's okie," the teen texted her grandmother. "It should be all fixed by tomorrow night, no worries :)"
A week later, the couple was arrested in Salt Lake City, and face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, arson, credit card fraud and robbery.
While only 16, Halseth has been charged as an adult, and Guerrero could potentially face the death penalty in the state of Nevada. Their case will be reviewed by the district attorney next week, Guerrero's attorney told KLAS.
Daniel's family spoke to KLAS in a statement: "To have him taken from us in such a horrific, savage, senseless, and violent act of murder leaves us heartbroken, and our grief is unyielding. The total lack of remorse on display in the video is both reprehensible and unforgivable."
Daniel's ex-wife and Halseth's mother, Elizabeth Halseth, was a former GOP state senator for Nevada, elected in 2010. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, she has yet to speak publicly about the allegations against her daughter.
"We loved Dan very much and we miss him every moment of the day," his family's statement read.
Newsweek reached out to the Las Vegas District Attorney's office for comment.
About the writer
Emma Mayer is a Newsweek Culture Writer based in Wyoming. Her focus is reporting on celebrities, books, movies, and music. ... Read more