Richards ordered to undergo competency evaluation in Filiatraut murder case

Third Judicial District Court Judge Leon Aberasturi has ordered a competency evaluation for Robert Matthew Richards, who is charged with the murder of 25-year-old Sara Filiatraut in March 2024.

On July 7, Judge Aberasturi signed the Order Granting Stipulation for Evaluation RE Competency, suspending all proceedings in the case until the question of Richards’ competency is resolved.

The judge ordered that Richards be examined by either two psychiatrists, two psychologists, or one of each. The evaluators will determine whether Richards has the capacity to understand the nature of the criminal charges against him, comprehend the purpose of the court proceedings, and assist counsel in his defense with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.

In June, Richards waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Canal Township Justice Court, and Justice of the Peace Lori Matheus issued an Order of Commitment, transferring the case to the Third Judicial District Court.

Sara Filiatraut was reported missing by her father on April 15, 2024. Lyon County Sheriff’s investigators later discovered that she had not been seen or active online since March 21.

Her remains were found on May 23, 2024, in a pit in a remote desert area east of Fallon. The discovery followed a comprehensive investigation involving digital evidence from both Sara’s and Richards’ devices and a coordinated ground search by multiple agencies.

Richards had previously been arrested on April 8 in an unrelated case involving allegations of sexual assault and solicitation. Judge Matheus released him on his own recognizance under enhanced supervision. At that time, Sara had not yet been reported missing, and Richards had not been linked to her disappearance.

After Sara’s body was discovered, Richards was interviewed by investigators on May 27, 2024. According to court documents, he admitted to being with Sara the night of March 22 but claimed she left his trailer. A warrant was issued shortly after, launching a multistate manhunt. Richards was eventually apprehended in Utah and extradited to Nevada last November.

The Lyon County District Attorney’s Office formally filed murder charges against him on July 25, 2024, stating there was sufficient evidence to proceed. Richards remains in custody without bail.