Redondo Man Convicted Of Murdering Reality TV Star Girlfriend

REDONDO BEACH, CA –A Redondo Beach man was convicted of second-degree murder Friday for the murder of his live-in girlfriend, a Los Angeles police officer-turned-attorney and reality TV star. Robert Brian Reagan, 53, is facing 16 years to life in prison when he is sentenced next month for the killing of Loredani Nesci on July 22, 2015.

Reagan, who had been free on bail, was taken into custody after the verdict was announced. His attorney, Shepard Kopp, argued during the trial that Nesci's death was accidental and occurred after Nesci attacked Reagan with a knife during a domestic dispute. Kopp said Nesci – who was trained in the use of deadly weapons – was fatally wounded as the couple struggled over the knife.

Officers were sent to the residence the couple shared on an emergency call from a "distraught" man, later identified as Reagan, and discovered the 47-year-old victim dead inside. Nesci was the star of "Loredana, Esq.," a 2014 reality show on Sundance TV that documented her home life and career as an attorney.

Reagan appeared on the six-episode series, which documented the couple's struggle with finances and arguments over the care of their young son while Reagan was traveling to develop a beverage business. The 5-year-old boy was in the couple's home when Nesci was killed.

Nesci became an LAPD officer in 1996, according to her website, and left two years later to attend law school. She opened her own law practice in 2004.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Photo courtesy of Redondo Beach Police Department