Daniel Halseth: Murdered in Cold Blood by His Daughter

David Halseth before his brutal murder. Photo: Morbidology

Daniel Halseth, ex-husband of senator Elizabeth Helgelien, was stabbed to death by his 16 year old daughter and her boyfriend. After killing Daniel the couple set his house on fire and went on the run.

Who was Daniel Halseth?

Daniel Halseth was born in Estacada, Oregon. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University and gained quite a reputation as a skilled drummer. He went on to receive a masters degree in business from Corban University.

Halseth met his wife Elizabeth Helgelien in Oregon and eventually moved with her to Las Vegas in 2006. SHe won her first campaign for public office four years later, becoming Nevada State senator.

Daniel Helseth loved fitness, inspirational quotes and making trying to make a difference in his community. He liked to travel around the US and take photographs of beautiful landscapes, posting them on social media. He also posted often of his beloved cat, Orange.

Halseth’s marriage to Elizabeth was quite rocky. Throughout the 11 year marriage Daniel Halseth had faced allegations of domestic abuse. Halseth pleaded guilty to two counts of coercion and battery.

Daniel and Elizabeth divorced in 2011 with custody of their three children being granted to Elizabeth. In 2020, David began fighting to regain custody of his children.

In the months leading up to his death Daniel Halseth and his children rented a home in Las Vegas from Daniel’s aunt. This is the home where he was eventually found dead.

The Murder of Daniel Halseth

A video describing the murder of Daniel Halseth

Daniel’s daughter Sierra Halseth, 16, had begun dating a boy named Aaron Guerrero, 18, much to his displeasure. Daniel caught wind that Sierra and Aaron were planning on running away together and starting a new life in Los Angeles. Daniel disapproved and forbade Sierra from seeing Aaron.

Sierra and Aaron refused to let Daniel get in the way of their relationship. They hatched a plan to murder him, steal his money and then flee to Los Angeles.

In the early morning of April 8, 2021 Aaron ran away from home and picked up Sierra. The two teens stole $1,300 from Daniel and Elizabeth’s shared bank account, then went out and purchased a chainsaw, circular saw, handsaw and lighter fluid. They also purchased a plastic drop sheet and disposable gloves.

At some point during the next 24 hours Sierra and Aaron killed Daniel by stabbing him over 70 times. They then attempted to dismember him but failed, resorting to setting the house on fire before fleeing to Salt Lake City in Daniel’s car.

The next day Daniel’s mother, Christine Halseth, became concerned as she had not heard from him for a few days. She repeatedly tried calling his phone but there was no answer.

Eventually Christine called Sierra, asking her if her Dad was ok. Sierra insisted that he was fine and that he had simply been having trouble with his phone.

Christine was not convinced and contacted Peggy Newman, Daniel’s landlord. Peggy went to the house and found that the front door hand been left wide open. She went inside and was immediately hit with a strong smell of smoke. She left the property and called the local fire department.

When firerfighters arrived at the Halseth home on Dunphy Court they found smoke billowing from the garage. They extinguished a small fire, revealing the lifeless, mutilated body of Daniel Halseth.

Investigators rushed to the scene and found blood scattered throughout the home. They also found a saw which has blood and tissue on it’s blade. The medical examiner determined Daniel had died from his stab wounds.

The Capture and Sentencing of Sierra Halseth and Aaron Guerrero

Stills from the incriminating video found on Sierra’s phone. Photo: Morbidology

Sierra Halseth and Aaron Guerroro were apprehended on April 13th, getting off of a train in Salt Lake City as they failed to pay for their tickets. Officers did a background check and realised the teens were wanted for murder.

Investigators found a rug covered in blood in their vehicle. They also found incriminating evidence on Sierra’s phone in the form of a video.

In the video Sierra and Aaron laughed and joked about murdering Daniel, saying it had been three days since the murder.

A statement was released by Daniel’s family which read: “Daniel Halseth was first and foremost a loving father, brother, and son, who was the heart of the Halseth family. 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. While we are grateful for the work of the detective and the district attorney, we are waiting for justice to be served with the maximum accountability allowed. We loved Dan very much and we miss him every moment of the day. This is the only statement we will be making and ask for privacy and understanding.”

Sierra Halseth and Aaron Guerrero pleaded guilty to murder, arson and robbery and were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 22 years.

What are your thoughts on the Daniel Halseth case? Let us know in the comments.

If you enjoyed this article you might also be interested in the case of poor baby Brianna Lopez or the child murderer Brandi Worley.