The relatives of Larissa Garcia have initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the Palms Casino Resort and an alleged madam. The suit claims that these parties failed to prevent her tragic strangulation and sexual assault in 2024.

Details from the lawsuit suggest that the Palms allowed escort activities to persist while ignoring obvious distress signals. Additionally, agency owner Jodi Mattinson is accused of engaging in human trafficking and unlawfully deducting tips from workers.

Jason Kendall, the key suspect who confessed to the killing, has recently been ruled incompetent to stand trial by a District Court judge, pausing criminal proceedings as the civil lawsuit advances.

This wrongful death lawsuit comes nearly two years after the brutal murder of Larissa Garcia, a 30-year-old Las Vegas sex worker and mother of two. It asserts that the Palms Casino Resort and a local madam failed to take necessary precautions that could have saved her life.

On June 12, 2024, Garcia was found unresponsive at the Palms. Initial reports by Jason Kendall claimed she had overdosed, prompting paramedics to rush her to Spring Valley Hospital. However, medical staff quickly determined that the overdose claim was false.

A hospital nurse reported to police, “Upon further inspection … it looks like she was assaulted.” They initially suspected an overdose, but Garcia did not respond to Narcan or any other interventions.

Medical examinations revealed no signs of drugs or alcohol in Garcia’s system, but they did find indications of a violent attack and severe brain injury. She remained in critical condition until being declared brain dead on June 21, 2024.

Authorities identified Kendall through hotel records and text messages on Garcia’s phone indicating she was scheduled to meet someone referred to as “J.” Surveillance footage allegedly shows Kendall meeting Garcia in the lobby at around 4 p.m., going up to her room, and subsequently leaving alone about an hour later, with no other individuals entering the room.

Kendall reportedly told detectives that he and Garcia had a dispute over payment for sex, during which he “snapped.” The lawsuit includes his confession that he “hit her in the face and choked her for 10 minutes and then had sex with her,” before dragging her away from the door and departing. He later contacted authorities under the pretense of her alleged overdose.

He faces charges of open murder, sexual assault, and battery by strangulation, but a District Court judge ruled in May 2026 that he is incompetent to stand trial.

Claims Against Palms Casino Resort

The Palms Casino Resort is named as a co-defendant in this new civil case, which seeks damages for negligent security, premises liability, and failure to provide assistance.

Filed on May 1, the complaint states that the Palms “failed to maintain reasonable security measures against prostitution,” actively facilitated escort services, and ignored Garcia’s “audible screams” and other warning signs, including Kendall exiting the property “bleeding” from visible injuries.

Since these allegations pertain to the operational standards and staff conduct at the Palms, the suit seeks compensatory damages, wrongful death damages, and damages for Garcia’s suffering, as well as for the emotional and financial fallout experienced by her children and family. These damages are specifically related to the alleged failures of premises liability on the part of the Palms.

A representative from the Palms remarked to 8 News Now that the resort is “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life” and will address the issue through the judicial process, asserting that guest safety is a paramount concern.

Claims Against Madam Jodi Mattinson

The lawsuit also pursues unspecified damages for wrongful death from co-defendant Jodi Mattinson, who is allegedly associated with the Bombshell escort agency. Additionally, it seeks damages related to purported unlawful deductions from Garcia’s tips.

Garcia was employed by this agency, which the complaint claims is involved in human trafficking, utilizing a two-step payment model: a “pickup” fee typically around $400, followed by negotiations for sex acts in a “second transaction.”

The lawsuit asserts that Garcia was sent on a “dangerous call,” which presented a foreseeable risk of violence. It contends that Mattinson was aware that clients often reacted violently during these “second transactions,” yet proceeded to send Garcia to meet Kendall.

Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Mattinson took 50% of the pickup fee and 40% of Garcia’s tips, a practice that allegedly violates Nevada law prohibiting employers from seizing workers’ gratuities.