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Where is Kaushal Niroula Now? 2025 Update & Background

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Kaushal Niroula was not born into royalty, though that’s the story he often told. Originally from Nepal, Niroula arrived in the United States on a student visa and quickly developed a reputation for charm, manipulation, and extravagant falsehoods. He falsely claimed to be an exiled Nepalese prince, a narrative he used to gain entry into elite circles and earn the trust of those around him.

Educated at New College of California in San Francisco’s Mission District, Niroula was a frequent presence in the city’s nightlife and LGBTQ+ scene. He was known for his flair—arriving at clubs in a caravan of black Lincoln Town Cars and throwing hundred-dollar bills across the bar. He cultivated an image of wealth and importance, though behind the facade, he was already involved in financial fraud and identity scams.

Niroula’s promises extended far beyond his means. At New College, he claimed he would donate $1 million. The donation never materialized, and the school closed in 2008 due to financial and accreditation issues. By then, Niroula had already begun executing more elaborate cons.

Mastermind of a Murder Plot

Kaushal Niroula’s most notorious crime was his central role in the 2008 murder of Clifford Lambert, a wealthy retired art dealer in Palm Springs. Lambert had been targeted after meeting Niroula’s co-conspirator, Daniel Garcia, through an online dating site. When Lambert refused to invest in Garcia’s business proposal, Niroula and Garcia began plotting to take everything Lambert had—including his life.

Niroula assumed the role of ringleader. He orchestrated the fraud by posing as an attorney, luring Lambert with a fabricated story about inheriting valuable artwork. He forged documents, enlisted the help of disbarred attorney David Replogle, and recruited accomplices Miguel Bustamante and Craig McCarthy. On December 5, 2008, while visiting Lambert’s home, Niroula let Bustamante and McCarthy in through the kitchen. Lambert was stabbed to death, wrapped in a rug, and his body transported to a remote location near Los Angeles where it was buried.

Following the murder, the group forged powers of attorney and began draining Lambert’s financial accounts, eventually stealing more than $185,000 and attempting to sell his home. Neighbors’ suspicions led to arrests within weeks, and Niroula was soon charged with murder, conspiracy, grand theft, and related crimes.

Conviction, Appeals, and Reversal

In 2011, Niroula was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors described him as the “architect” of the murder plot, a manipulator who used charm to conceal cruelty. The conviction seemed to bring justice to a complicated case.

However, the case took a dramatic turn in 2020 when a judge overturned Niroula’s conviction along with several others. Secret audio recordings revealed that the original trial judge, David Downing, had made inappropriate, prejudiced remarks—including homophobic comments and dismissive statements about Niroula’s HIV-positive status. These revelations led to new trials being ordered.

Niroula was awaiting retrial at the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Riverside County when his life came to a violent end. On September 6, 2022, he was beaten and strangled to death by a fellow inmate. At the time of his death, Niroula was 41 years old. His family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit, stating that the county jail system failed to protect him despite knowing he was vulnerable and had identified as a transgender woman.

Public Persona vs. Private Reality

Kaushal Niroula’s story has been extensively documented through court records, news features, and true crime podcasts. His public persona as the “Dark Prince” captivated those who met him, while his private reality was defined by fraud, manipulation, and escalating violence. He exemplified the extremes of social engineering—leveraging charm, lies, and false status to exploit others.

He had previously been linked to other cons, including real estate fraud and a separate case involving the theft of luxury condos in San Francisco. Authorities believe Lambert was not his first victim—just the first to be killed.

Legacy of Deception and Tragedy

The murder of Clifford Lambert, masterminded in large part by Niroula, left a lasting scar on the Palm Springs community and beyond. Lambert’s body was not found until years later, and Niroula’s involvement was central to every phase of the crime—from the initial deception to the physical cover-up.

Though he died before facing retrial, Niroula’s actions continue to echo in the lives of the victims, survivors, and even his fellow conspirators. His legacy is not one of nobility or sophistication, but of cold ambition and betrayal. In the years since his death, true crime media has explored his life extensively, including Dateline NBC’s 2025 special The Prince, The Whiz Kid & The Millionaire, which chronicled the full extent of the Lambert case.

Kaushal Niroula remains a haunting figure—a master of illusion who ultimately paid for his crimes not in court, but in a jail cell, alone.

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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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