Though James “Buffalo Jim” Barrier’s 2008 death was declared accidental and likely related to cocaine use, his family is convinced that he was murdered by his enemies.
To many who make out him , “ Buffalo Jim ” Barrier seemed unvanquishable . Broad - shoulder with wild , black hair’s-breadth , Barrier was a Las Vegas legend who ’d made a name for himself as an automobile maintenance man , a wrestling promoter , and a admirer to the variety of characters who make Vegas the unique situation it is . When he was find all in in April 2008 , much of the urban center was waste .
But though a coroner found that the 55 - year - older had drop dead from cardiomyopathy — lighting of the heart — after supposedly using cocaine , Barrier ’s four daughters are adamantine that their sire was murdered .
They point to a number of eery details surround his slip , include his missing ID and cash , the shift testimony of the woman he spent his last hours with , and the all - too - clean motel way where he conk out .
Steve MillerBuffalo Jim Barrier had plenty of friends in Las Vegas — and had plenty of enemies, too.
Steve MillerBuffalo Jim Barrier had mountain of friends in Las Vegas — and had plenty of enemy , too .
And then , of course , there are the missive . Before he die , Barrier received a turn of escalating decease threats . What ’s more , he had a well - known , long - extend feud with his neighbor and landlord , Rick Rizzolo — who happened to be released from prison house the day before Barrier was found beat in a motel .
So was Buffalo Jim Barrier actually a dupe of foul free rein ? His case is coming to light once more thanks to Netflix’sUnsolved Mysteries , where the details of this Las Vegas mystery will reach a extensive consultation and the true statement may finally be revealed .
Steve MillerAn undated photo of Buffalo Jim outside his auto repair shop.
How Buffalo Jim Barrier Became A Las Vegas Legend
Born on March 22 , 1953 , in Cleveland , Ohio , James “ Buffalo Jim ” Barrier fell in lovemaking with Las Vegas at a new geezerhood . harmonise toLas Vegas Weekly , he first visited the metropolis when he was nine years erstwhile and was so beguile that he decided that he ’d one day getting even . Barrier made his way back to Vegas in 1971 , and he soon work up a report for himself .
Steve MillerAn undated picture of Buffalo Jim outside his auto repair workshop .
Starting in 1977 , James Barrier put his knowledge about automobile repair to use . He began fixing cars from his avant-garde , then he sign a 30 - year lease at a shop on Industrial Road that he telephone Allstate Auto and Marine Electric . Along the way , the gregarious , well - built mechanic take in his nickname — Buffalo — after a inebriated tourist from Texas quipped that he ’d once had sex with a buffalo , and Barrier could very well be their love fry .
RaulJusinto/FlickrRick Rizzolo, the owner of Crazy Horse Too, became Buffalo Jim’s sworn enemy.
But though Barrier made friends with almost everyone he fulfil — his funeral was attended by a full cast of Las Vegas type — he also made a important enemy in the 1980s .
The Notorious Feud Between Rick Rizzolo And Jim Barrier
Rick Rizzolo was the proprietor of Crazy Horse Too , a gentlemen ’s golf club next to Jim Barrier ’s auto shop class . ThoughLas Vegas Weeklyclaims that James Barrier tried to befriend Rizzolo , a recondite animosity soon bloomed between the two men . TheLas Vegas Review - Journalreported that Rizzolo wanted Barrier to go out so he could expand his club . Barrier would n’t shift .
RaulJusinto / FlickrRick Rizzolo , the owner of Crazy Horse Too , became Buffalo Jim ’s sworn opposition .
Over the next two tenner , Barrier and Rizzolo clashed . roadblock claimed in a 2002 lawsuit that he constitute used needles and condoms on his property , had his store recrudesce into , and sometimes came into work to encounter his client ’ cars vandalize or towed away .
Steve MillerOne of the threatening letters that Buffalo Jim Barrier received before his death.
“ I was afraid to entrust anything at my lot because of vandalism or them towing cars away , ” Barrier read during a hearing . “ It was like being under besieging . ”
So , Buffalo Jim Barrier contend back . With the help of his supporter , City Councilman Steve Miller , he set up a campaign of his own against Rizzolo , aver that he ’d witnessed drug use and beating at Rizzolo ’s ball club .
With Barrier ’s help , the FBI and the IRS finally found that Rizzolo had n’t been pay his taxis . He was find guilty of tax evasion and beam to prison for a year in 2007 . But though his chief nemesis was behind bars , Barrier started to get a number of threatening letters and phone song .
Steve MillerA portrait of Buffalo Jim Barrier.
Steve MillerOne of the threatening letter that Buffalo Jim Barrier received before his death .
He shared details about the threats with a turn of Las Vegas diarist , includingLas Vegas Weekly‘s Joshua Longobardy . On Friday , April 4 , 2008 , Barrier call Longobardy to talk over the post .
“ They ’re gon na endeavor to do it through a char , ” Barrier told Longobardy , when the diarist tell apart him to be careful . “ Or they ’re gon na assay to drug me . ”
YouTubeBuffalo Jim Barrier in his auto shop, where he worked for decades despite harassment from his neighbor, Rick Rizzolo.
Two day subsequently , Buffalo Jim Barrier was discover dead at a Motel 6 . Rick Rizzolo had been released from prison the day before . So what on the dot happened to Barrier ?
The Shocking Death Of Buffalo Jim Barrier
Buffalo Jim Barrier left home around 7:15 p.m. on Saturday , April 5 , and promised his girl , Jerica , that he ’d return soon . Surveillance footage at a nearby Motel 6 captured him checking in an 60 minutes later and conversing with the clerk , ostensibly in estimable feel .
The following day , Jerica and her sister Elise were told that their father had died . TheLas Vegas Sunreports that Barrier had been found face up in bed , with his drawers around his ankles . The medical examiner subsequently assign his dying to cardiomyopathy — inflammation of the kernel heftiness — which had perhaps been brought on by cocain habit .
But not everyone bribe that Buffalo Jim Barrier had died of instinctive causes .
Steve MillerA portraiture of Buffalo Jim Barrier .
“ I trust it was a homicide , ” his daughter Jennifer told theLas Vegas Review - Journala few Clarence Day after Jim Barrier ’s death . “ It was a execution … from everything I ’ve cumulate , it looks to be a homicide . ”
Many of Barrier ’s friends correspond .
“ Nothing is adding up here , ” his lawyer and admirer , Robert Lueck , told theLas Vegas Sun . “ It makes no sense . ”
And Barrier ’s intimate Miller , with whom he battled Rizzolo , in darkness referenced the expiry menace that Barrier had lately welcome .
“ He was my closest friend , ” Miller told theLas Vegas Review - Journal . “ He predicted his own death on the telephone Saturday . ”
So , is there proof that Buffalo Jim Barrier was killed ? Or was his demise , as the coroner declared , a tragical stroke ?
Did Someone Kill Las Vegas’ “Most Colorful Character”?
YouTubeBuffalo Jim Barrier in his auto shop , where he ferment for decade despite torment from his neighbor , Rick Rizzolo .
To Buffalo Jim Barrier ’s four daughter , there are a number of strange thing about his death . Jerica and Elise stimulate to the motel after listen that their forefather had died and found an unsettling panorama .
There were two glasses of pee on the counter — but their father exclusively drank bottled water . The way was unobjectionable — but Barrier was notoriously messy . The police force had find his garage door opener — but Barrier always kept it in the car . And Barrier ’s billfold was drop most of its immediate payment and his ID .
Then , there was the matter of a fair sex diagnose “ Lisa . ” The police found that Barrier had spent his last hours with Lisa , who claim that she had leave alone the room after Barrier had a capture . But Barrier ’s girl , Jennifer , does n’t buy it . She told theLas Vegas Review - Journalthat Lisa had changed her story multiple time .
“ She lied , ” Jennifer said . “ I ask why [ the police ] wo n’t make her take a lie detector test , and they said she would have to agree to it . The way this has been handle is really not bonny . ”
Who would have killed Barrier ? To his kinsperson and friend , the obvious response is Rizzolo , who had suspected mob necktie . Barrier even joked about it , quip that his great professional accomplishment was : “ Being able to stay in patronage while being attacked by the mafia for 25 long time . ”
For now , the instance into Buffalo Jim Barrier ’s last seems to be close . But Netflix’sUnsolved Mysteriesis fix to take a second look at Barrier ’s story , more than a decade after Las Vegas ’ “ Most Colorful Character ” was find idle . The renewed aid is likely welcomed by his daughters , who still inquire what happen to their Church Father .
“ I do n’t know what I ’m going to do , ” Jennifer Barrier toldLas Vegas Weeklyin 2008 . “ I ca n’t last without knowing what happened to my pa . ”
After read about the mysterious end of Buffalo Jim Barrier , see how mobsterBugsy Siegelhelped put Las Vegas on the mapping . Then , see thesevintage Las Vegas photosthat show what it was like before it became the “ entertainment capital of the world . ”
