Ash Armand: The reality TV star who killed his friend
Sin City GigoloFor fans of reality television, the rise and fall of Ash Armand was as dramatic as any storyline on screen. Known for his calm demeanour and philosophical nature on the controversial Showtime series Gigolos, Armand’s life took a shocking turn that ended in a brutal killing of his friend Herleen Dulai, and a lengthy prison sentence.
What began as an appearance on a reality show about Las Vegas escorts led years later to a true crime story that is featured in the Crime+Investigation series Sin City Gigolo, available from Wednesday, 11th February.
Read on as we take a closer look at the death of Herleen Dulai and how a reality TV star pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. We’ll also explore Herleen and Armand’s relationship and how events escalated after her death.
Who is Ash Armand?
Born Akshaya Kubiak, Ash Armand grew up immersed in diverse cultures, spending time in both Maine and Japan, and later made a name for himself as a cast member on Gigolos. The Showtime series, which aired from 2011 to 2016, followed male escorts navigating life and relationships in Las Vegas.
Rather than the typical brash persona seen on reality TV, Armand stood out for his calm nature. This quiet charisma helped him become one of the more recognisable figures from the show, and his on-screen personality earned him a loyal fan base. However, years down the line, Armand would not be remembered for his calmness, he’d be recognised for the death of Herleen Dulai.
After the reality show ended, Armand continued working in the escort industry and maintained his social media presence. He described himself as a sex and fitness educator, a father and an independent thinker. At first glance, his post-TV life appeared to be a continuation of the unique personal brand he had built on television.
Who was Herleen Dulai?
Herleen Dulai was a 29-year-old personal trainer, community youth leader and former graduate student who came into Armand’s life before the events that changed everything. The nature of their relationship was described in different ways by friends and colleagues. Were they just friends? Or was Herleen one of Armand’s clients?
What is clear from reports is that the two spent significant time together in the months leading up to Herleen's death.
On 15th July 2020, Herleen visited Armand’s Las Vegas home. According to police reports, the pair consumed psychedelic mushrooms, lit candles and watched a movie together. In the early morning hours of the following morning, Armand called 911.
His words to dispatchers were unnerving. He reported that Herleen was unconscious after an alleged struggle, saying the situation might 'sound insane', and asking for help. First responders arrived to find Herleen unresponsive and clearly deceased.
The crime and investigation
What investigators found inside Armand’s home contradicted his initial run-down of events. The scene was chaotic, with blood spatter visible on surfaces and no indication that Herleen had died from natural causes. The Clark County coroner later ruled her death a homicide.
Autopsy results revealed devastating injuries. Herleen had suffered multiple blunt force traumas and strangulation, and a fragment of her chipped tooth was found inside her stomach. The severity of her injuries suggested she was conscious for part of the violent attack.
Armand initially gave conflicting explanations to police. He claimed that Herleen attacked him first and that he had 'blacked out' under the influence of drugs, unable to recall the violence that followed. In statements to both police and the court, he maintained that he never intended harm and that he had never hit a woman in his life. However, the physical evidence painted a shockingly different picture.
Guilty plea
Las Vegas prosecutors treated Herleen's death as a homicide from the start. They considered the violence as extreme and unprovoked, and questioned whether any act of self-defence could justify the level of force used. Armand faced charges that reflected the seriousness of the crime, and the case was headed for trial.
In September 2021, Armand made a decision that altered the course of the legal process. He accepted a plea agreement and pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and mayhem. Voluntary manslaughter recognises that a defendant’s actions may have occurred in a moment of intense emotional disturbance rather than with premeditated intent.
The additional charge of mayhem, which involves maliciously injuring another person, reflected the brutality of Herleen's injuries.
By accepting the plea deal, Armand avoided the possibility of a murder conviction, which could have resulted in life imprisonment. Instead, in late 2021, a Nevada judge sentenced him to a prison term of 8- 20 years.
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