Competency Evaluation Ordered for Richards in Sara Filiatraut Murder Case

Third Judicial District Court Judge Leon Aberasturi has ordered a competency evaluation for Robert Richards, who is charged with the murder of 25-year old Sara Filiatraut in March 2024.

On July 7, Judge Aberasturi signed the Order Granting Stipulation for Evaluation RE Competency in the case, suspending all proceedings in the case until the question of competency is determined.

The judge ordered that Richards be examined with regard to the question of competency by  either two psychiatrists, two psychologists or one psychiatrist and one psychologist to state their opinion of whether Richards has the ability to understand the nature of the criminal charges against him; understand the nature and purposed of the court proceedings; and aid and assist counsel in the defense at any time during the proceedings with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.

In June, Richards waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Canal Township Justice Court and Justice of the Peace Lori Matheus issued an Order of Commitment, sending the case to Third Judicial District Court.

Sara Filiatraut's father reported her missing on April 15, 2024. Lyon County Sheriff’s investigators later learned she had not been seen or active online since March 21. 

On May 23, 2024, her body was found in a pit in a remote desert location east of Fallon. The discovery of her body came after a deep technological dive into Sara's and Richard's devices by investigators, and a multi-agency search on the ground

Richards had been arrested weeks earlier, on April 8, in an unrelated case alleging sexual assault and solicitation. Judge Matheus released him on his own recognizance under enhanced supervision. At that time, Sara had not been reported missing, and authorities had not yet connected Richards to Sara's disappearance.

Following the discovery of Sara's remains, investigators interviewed Richards on May 27, 2024. Court documents report that he admitted he had been with Sara the night of March 22 but claimed she left his trailer. A warrant was issued, and a multistate manhunt ensued. Richards was later apprehended in Utah and extradited to Nevada last November. The Lyon County District Attorney’s Office formally filed murder charges on July 25, 2024, following the conclusion that there was sufficient evidence to proceed.

He remains in custody with no bail.