Anthony “Tony” Ray Amati, born on June 28, 1976, gained infamy as an American serial killer who perpetrated a series of “thrill-killings” in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1996. This article delves into the chilling details of Amati’s life, crimes, investigation, trial, and subsequent imprisonment.
Originally from Carbondale, Illinois, Amati moved to Las Vegas in 1992 with his family. After graduating with honors from Clark High School in 1994, he displayed early signs of intelligence but later took a dark turn. Working as a telemarketer while still in high school, Amati’s life spiraled into a series of violent crimes.
Amati, along with accomplices Troy Sampson and Edward James, began their crime spree by robbing a gun store in southern Las Vegas, making off with $30,000 and 75 firearms. The trio’s killing spree commenced on May 27, 1996, when they fatally shot 27-year-old Michael Matta in a parking lot. The victims included John Garcia, shot to death in his garage in July, and Keith Dyer, fatally shot just outside a friend’s home in August. The brutality of the crimes shocked the community, leaving lasting scars on the families of the victims.