Pro golfer Erica Blasberg, according to most accounts, had much going for her in life and was well liked by her golfing peers, friends and family. 
Blasberg played her only L.P.G.A. Tour event this year just two weeks ago in Mexico and tied for 44th place.
Blasberg found great golfing success in college, winning six times in two years at the University of Arizona and then turned pro and played on the Curtis Cup team in 2004.
One of the most photogenic women’s golfers in the country, she also inked an endorsement deal with Puma. In addition, Erica competed favorably in the L.P.G.A. Championship, U.S. Women’s Open, Women’s British Open, and Kraft Nabisco Championship.
But last Sunday something turned horribly – and deathly -wrong.
Henderson, Nevada police spokesman Keith Paul would only say they are continuing to investigating the 25-year-old American’s sudden and untimely death on Sunday, adding it was not immediately clear whether foul play was involved.
The virtual freeze of information from the Henderson Police Department about her death has fueled rampant speculation. They only say that it was not a suicide.
TMZ, citing Erica’s father, also proclaimed that it was not a suicide.
HLN host Nancy Grace took it a step further: “Found dead, possibly smothered to death in the bedroom of her desert home,” Grace said on her recent show.
Erica had withdrawn in recent months, not updating her website, Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Paul said police responded to a 911 call and were dispatched to Blasberg’s suburban three-bedroom house in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas, around 3 p.m. last Sunday. Paul declined to say who made the call, saying it was part of the investigation.
But, since then, knowledgeable sources have came forward saying the call was made by a male golfer, yet unnamed, who was inside her home at the time.
Blasberg, whose bags were packed and waiting to go on her next L.P.G.A. tournament in Alabama this week, according to her agent, Chase Callahan, also reportedly text messaged her caddie hours before her death, saying she would not be at the tournament.
The caddie, Missy Pederson, recently told the New York Times that Blasberg said she wasn’t going to play at this week’s Bell Micro L.P.G.A. Classic in Mobile, Alabama.
Because the message was sent in the middle of the night, Pederson said she was worried and texted back a question about whether Blasberg was all right– and the 25-year-old golfer never replied.
Pederson normally caddies for Irene Cho. Cho told the Times she and Blasberg had made plans to have dinner Sunday night in Mobile, the night before Blasberg faced a qualifying round.
Cho said Blasberg was unhappy with her golf game lately.
“She was kind of down on herself,” Cho said. “She was upset how she played last year. I told her she has so much talent and so much beauty and so many people who love her. I didn’t want her to lose sight of all that.”
Her dad, Mel Blasberg, says Las Vegas had become a “bad influence” and a “distraction,” and she was considering moving back home to California. Despite this, he seems to believe it wasn’t suicide saying Erica was upbeat during practice at Southern Highlands Country Club in Henderson just days before she was found dead.
“I never saw her more positive,” says Blasberg. “This was a very motivated person to get to Alabama this week.”
Police will not say how Blasberg died and the Clark County coroner only said the autopsy results were inconclusive and that determining the cause of death through blood and tissue tests could take 4-6 weeks.
L.P.G.A. spokesman David Higdon called Blasberg’s death a “tough hit” for women’s golf. “She was a very popular player and well-liked and we’re going to miss her,” Higdon said, adding, “This is a very close-knit group of players and tour and we’re saddened by what happened.”
Face it: Every day is really a crap shoot in Las Vegas. Some days are great. Others are so-so. And yet still others are pure hell. But imagine your worst nightmare of waking up to face-to-face to a grunting, over one thousand pound drooling bull – the epitome of True Mean reincarnated – staring you down with flaming red eyes, refusing to budge an inch. And yet you’re tasked to make him “play” with you, armed only with a bright red or pink cape and a Velcro-tipped stick. Goliath had it better. And, if this isn’t bad enough– you don’t wake up. 
How does the new sport work? A patch of Velcro is fastened to the bull’s back and, rather than using a killing sword, the matador tries to deftly attach a Velcro-coated stick to the bull’s withers. Though it appears they’ve stabbed the bull, the animal is unhurt and walks away to fight another day, as does the bullfighter. Win-win. Or is it?
But, judging from her talents, she’s definitely not out for the count.
NFL running back LaMont Jordan has been accused by the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas of failing to honor markers totaling $20,000, according to a suit filed by the resort in Clark County. The debts are treated as bad checks by Nevada law, and can result in criminal charges and arrest, if not resolved.
episode of the new reality series “Shaq VS” on ABC Television Network. 
champion’s “trophy” guitar after winning the Federated Auto Parts 300 in Gladeville, Tennessee. Why you ask? Reportedly, to share pieces of it with his team. We kid you not. 
turns baseball diamonds into his own playground. His versatility of playing anywhere on the baseball field is what sets him apart from other players. 
second remaining in Round 2 of their scheduled 12-round junior welterweight showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas before a sellout, bellowing, frothing-at-the-mouth crowd of 16,262. 
Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) against Brit Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) will start at approximately 8 p.m. (PT) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. 
answer about legalizing same-sex marriage during the Miss USA Pageant on Sunday in Las Vegas, it appears that the record-breaking eight Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps is taking to the blond bombshell like a beached fish out of water. 
as they co-headline a nationwide Rock ‘N Roll Double-Header Tour. Teaming up for the first time, two of the most popular rock acts to ever take the stage are slated to perform at 26 minor league baseball stadiums around the country, starting on June 1 when they travel to Portland, Oregon, home of the Beavers.
concrete canoe in the fiercely competitive 2009 National ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on June 11-13.
sportsbooks. However this winter’s celebration of the professional athlete is finding a fierce challenger in the March playoff celebration of collegiate basketball. 
landscape with a variety of rock formations including natural arches. But for real special treat on March 27 through 29 The World Atlatl Association is having a atlatl contest there where you can watch serious competitors and amateurs try their hand and muscle with the ancient weapon- a simple stick cleverly designed to hurl a spear with great force – from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Atlatl Rock Picnic Area in the Valley of Fire. 
Sprint Cup starts at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, racing to victory in his Toyota No. 18, sponsored by M&M’s. 
complex with road courses, a 3/8 mile oval, dirt track and drag racing facilities. The fans will be there once again on Saturday, February 28 for the Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 and on Sunday March 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Shelby 427. 
The NFL football season is history. But that doesn’t mean excitement needs to be put on hold. Oh my gosh, no. The folks over at Sports Illustrated were creatively up to the challenge, responding by providing the ultimate in eye-popping candy when 19 swimsuit models arrived in stunning fashion at LAX nightclub in the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 12, to launch their new promotion for the much awaited 2009 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. 
Now, not to be outdone, Las Vegas offers THE competitive event for the fearless and definitely not the light of heart: “Scale the Strat” 
recently purchased the retail building at 1610 E. Tropicana Ave. in Las Vegas, from a private seller for $1.24 million.
(NFAA) on February 6 -8. 
contest at Tampa, Florida. Most of the early wagering at Las Vegas sports books has been for the underdog Cardinals. 
game practice for the hard-pounding gridiron action by watching on Saturday night, January 31, at 4:15 p.m. the UFC premiere fight between warriors BJ Penn and Georges St. Pierre. The duo will be smack-talking and raising their fists and feet for what will surely be an Octagon butt-kicking Blood Fest at UFC 94 at the MGM Grand Garden arena. 
There is no better place to take in all the football gridiron action this Sunday at Super Bowl XLIII then to watch and join in on the many parties in sunny Las Vegas. There are lots of options to choose among before the kickoff between the Arizona Cardinals and the favorite Pittsburg Steelers. (But for a championship game like this you can throw out favoritism, as anything can, and usually does, happen.)
remained strong, resilient, and, some say, even recession-proof. It remains one of our few local business saviors. Gaming wagering profits accruing from the Super Bowl plays a crucial and pivotal role in our continued success. 
Even with our nation’s economic collapse, this year’s February 1 contest at Tampa, Florida between the debutante, Cinderella-team Arizona Cardinals and the 900-lb gorilla on the block, Pittsburgh Steelers (six Super Bowls, with five wins) has, and is, drawing strong bettor interest. Will David – reincarnated as the Cardinal’s Kurt Warner, with two Super Bowls and one win as a St. Louis Ram quarterback under his belt, pull off the ultimate coup and slay the Pittsburgh Goliath? 
Vegas Backstage Access (VBA) 