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“The Prince, The Whiz Kid & The Millionaire”: Dateline Reports on Clifford Lambert Homicide October 10 2025

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On Friday, October 10, 2025, Dateline NBC airs a two-hour special titled “The Prince, The Whiz Kid & The Millionaire”, reported by Josh Mankiewicz. The episode unravels the twisted 2008 murder-for-money plot targeting Clifford Lambert, a 74-year-old retired art dealer and socialite in Palm Springs, California. What initially appeared to be a missing persons case would later reveal a sophisticated web of deception, forged documents, and greed-fueled betrayal—resulting in multiple convictions, one inmate’s death, and a decade-long legal saga that only recently concluded.

Clifford Lambert: From Midwest Roots to Palm Springs Society

Clifford Lambert rose from modest beginnings in the Midwest to become a self-made millionaire known for his success in the art reproduction business. By the 1990s, Lambert had established himself in Palm Springs, where he lived a comfortable and socially vibrant life. Friends described him as charismatic and theatrical, someone who had built a name for himself within Southern California’s gay community.

Lambert’s life took a turn after the death of his longtime partner. Seeking companionship, he turned to online dating, eventually connecting with Daniel Garcia, a man in his mid-20s who visited him in early 2008. The relationship quickly soured when Lambert rejected Garcia’s request for a business investment, prompting Garcia to leave in anger—but not before stealing Lambert’s credit card and upgrading his return flight.

The Plotters: From Seduction to Conspiracy

After being rejected by Lambert, Garcia teamed up with Kaushal Niroula, a flamboyant conman who falsely claimed royal lineage from Nepal and was known for his over-the-top behavior and charm. Niroula had a history of fraud, including promises of large donations to educational institutions and alleged real estate scams. Together, Niroula and Garcia devised a plan to exploit Lambert financially—and ultimately, to kill him.

They weren’t alone. The plot expanded to include several co-conspirators: disbarred attorney David Replogle, who used forged documents to gain access to Lambert’s assets; Miguel Bustamante, a former Marine cook; and Craig McCarthy, a San Francisco bartender. They created a false identity for Niroula as an attorney representing a deceased art collector and convinced Lambert he was set to inherit valuable artwork—luring him into signing legal papers.

The Murder and Cover-Up

On December 5, 2008, the plan turned deadly. While Lambert enjoyed cocktails with Garcia and Niroula at his Palm Springs home, McCarthy and Bustamante entered through the kitchen and fatally stabbed him. His body was wrapped in a rug, placed in the trunk of his Mercedes, and transported to a remote area near Los Angeles. There, they buried Lambert’s body in a shallow grave.

In the days that followed, the group drained over $185,000 from Lambert’s accounts and tried to sell his home and art collection using forged powers of attorney. Suspicion grew when neighbors noticed unusual activity and a moving truck outside Lambert’s home. McCarthy was arrested soon after, and the elaborate scheme quickly unraveled.

Legal Battles and Reversals

Between 2011 and 2012, four of the conspirators—Niroula, Garcia, Replogle, and Bustamante—were convicted of murder and multiple financial crimes, receiving life sentences without the possibility of parole. However, in 2020, those convictions were overturned. Secret courtroom audio revealed that the original judge made homophobic and prejudiced remarks, raising serious questions about judicial misconduct and fairness.

This triggered a new round of trials. While Niroula was awaiting retrial in 2022, he was murdered in jail under controversial circumstances. Replogle was retried and convicted in 2022. Bustamante was found guilty again in 2023, and Garcia was re-convicted later that year. Delays continued, with sentencing hearings repeatedly postponed due to legal maneuvers, attorney changes, and claims related to disability accommodations.

Final Sentencing and Fallout

Daniel Garcia was finally sentenced in April 2025 to life in prison without parole, alongside an additional two-year determinate sentence for financial crimes. He had been in custody for over 5,300 days. David Replogle received the same sentence in July 2025, while Bustamante had already been sentenced in late 2023. Craig McCarthy, who cooperated with prosecutors, received a reduced sentence and is eligible for parole.

The case remains a stark example of the extremes individuals will pursue for financial gain—and the systemic challenges victims’ families face in navigating the justice system. Prosecutors, including Lisa DiMaria and Robert Hightower, spent more than a decade pursuing convictions in the face of legal setbacks, defense appeals, and shifting testimony.

The Importance of Documentation and Deception

One of the key breakthroughs in the investigation came from a thumbprint recorded by a notary on a forged power of attorney. That thumbprint belonged to Replogle and served as irrefutable evidence linking him to the fraud. The case has since been cited as an example of how notary practices can help uphold legal integrity and prevent imposter fraud, even in the most extreme scenarios.

The conspiracy extended beyond financial theft to complete identity erasure—Lambert’s accounts, property, even his pet were taken. It took years before his remains were found and positively identified. In 2016, workers discovered a jawbone off Templin Highway in Castaic, and by 2020, the remains were officially confirmed to belong to Lambert.

Media Coverage and Renewed Attention

The story has captured public attention through various media, including the 2013 book Until Someone Gets Hurt by Tyson Wrensch and the podcast American Hustlers, which revisits the case with new interviews and previously unreleased details. Wrensch, who once knew Garcia and Niroula, contributes further perspective in the Dateline special.

The broadcast on October 10, 2025, brings national television coverage to a case marked by deception, delayed justice, and haunting consequences. It features archival footage, exclusive interviews, and updates on ongoing legal fallout.

A Lasting Impact

For Lambert’s friends, including Eddie Mullikin and Steven Kilcullen, the prolonged trial process and delayed justice have added to the emotional toll. They remain vocal advocates for closure and recognition of Lambert’s life. Their testimony and persistence were instrumental in ensuring the case never faded from public memory.

More than 17 years after the murder, The Prince, The Whiz Kid & The Millionaire serves as a sobering chronicle of trust exploited, a justice system tested, and a community forever altered. Through it all, the memory of Clifford Lambert endures—a reminder of the human cost behind every headline.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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