HERLEEN Dulai was a 29-year-old graduate from California who was murdered by Gigolos’ star Ash Armand in 2020.
She sustained blunt-force trauma and was strangled at Armand’s home under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms.
Who is Ash Armand?
Ash Armand, whose real name is Akshaya Kubiak, is best known for his small role in the reality series Gigolos.
The show saw him working as a professional escort in Las Vegas and interacting with clients.
He was a cast member on the show from 2012 until it ended in 2016.
How did Herleen meet Armand?
Herleen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 2017 and moved to Las Vegas in 2019 to pursue a postgraduate degree.
Herleen soon found a passion for fitness and joined A.C.E. Fitness Gym, where she would later work as a personal trainer.
She would post inspirational workout videos to her social media, in which she also opened up about her life and fears.
Around May to June 2020, the pair first made contact, and it is still unclear as to who initiated it.
The reality star paid her $800 (£650) to spend two hours with him, $3,000 (£2,300) for an overnight date, and $25,000 (£18,000) for a week.
The exact relationship between the two is unclear, with some speculating that she was his personal trainer, while others believed she might have been his dog walker.
Whether they were together, or if it was a paid relationship, is also unknown.
How did Herleen die?
In July 2020, just shortly after they had met, police responded to a call at Armand’s home.
According to reports, Arman had made a distressing 911 call claiming that Herleen was unresponsive after the pair had taken drugs together.
Following the arrival of the authorities, Herleen was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Despite Arman’s claims, Herleen’s death was attributed to blunt force trauma and strangulation, and the Clark County coroner’s office determined it as a homicide.
She suffered injuries to her face, eye and forearms.
A fragment of her tooth was found in her stomach.
Armand alleged that he had blacked out during the incident and had no recollection of attacking Herleen, mentioning in his sentencing hearing that he was in a different reality due to consuming mushrooms.
What happened to Armand?
Armand was arrested in July 2020 and later charged and sentenced for the murder of Herleen.
He initially faced a murder charge but pleaded guilty in September 2024 to felony counts of voluntary manslaughter and mayhem.
As of 2024, Armand is believed to be incarcerated at the Southern Desert Correctional Center in Las Vegas.
