Darren Roy Mack was born on January 31, 1961, in Reno, Nevada. He grew up in northern Nevada with his brother, Landon. From a young age, the brothers enjoyed outdoor activities, including hunting and learning about wildlife. They attended local public schools in Reno. Darren graduated from Reno High School and later earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Nevada.

Starting at the age of seven, Darren began working in his mother Joan Mack's family-owned business, Palace Jewelry and Loan, a pawn shop. This early exposure to the family business helped shape his career. After completing college, he joined the business full-time while also exploring other ventures. By 2006, Darren had become a part-owner of the pawn shop and had started selling items on eBay. In 2003, his annual income was estimated to be around $500,000, which contributed to a net worth of $9.4 million. He was politically active and founded the Nevada Pawnbroker Association.

Darren’s personal life includes two marriages. He first married Debra Ashlock in 1986, and they had two children—a son and a daughter. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1991. He later married Charla on May 13, 1995. Together, they had a daughter and took part in raising his two children from his first marriage. The family was recognized in 1998 when a billboard in Reno declared Darren Mack as the "1998 Father/Husband of the Year."

However, on February 7, 2005, Charla filed for divorce when their daughter was seven years old. Following their separation, there were claims made by Charla expressing fear for her safety. Despite a seemingly successful business career, Darren's early life and marriages were marked by complexities that would come to play a larger role in later events.

On June 12, 2006, Charla Mack was found dead in her garage. She had been stabbed. This happened just hours before Judge Chuck Weller was shot by a sniper. The judge had issued a financial settlement in the ongoing divorce between Charla and her estranged husband, Darren Mack. Reports indicated that Darren was angry about the judge's ruling.

Darren Mack quickly became the main suspect for both crimes. The divorce had been contentious, and Darren reportedly resented the $10,000 monthly spousal support he was ordered to pay, as well as other financial obligations. Following the incident, an international manhunt was launched to find him. He was featured on "America's Most Wanted" and placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.

For ten days, Darren evaded capture. He was eventually located in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on June 22, 2006. He surrendered to local authorities after they surrounded him at a resort's pool. The next day, he was flown to Dallas, Texas, and then returned to Reno, Nevada, where he was booked into the Washoe County jail.

Darren Mack’s trial began in 2007. He had several attorneys represent him throughout the case. The Washoe County District Attorney’s office had to recuse itself due to personal connections to Mack. The case was complicated, with numerous individuals involved. During the preliminary hearing in August 2006, Mack was held over for trial. He pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder.

As the trial date approached, on November 5, 2007, Mack changed his plea. He pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of his wife and entered an Alford plea on the attempted murder of Judge Weller. This plea came just before the trial was set to start. The judge sentenced him to life in prison for the murder of Charla and to the maximum of 40 years for the attempted murder of Judge Weller. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, making him ineligible for parole for at least 36 years.

In March 2008, a jury awarded a $590 million settlement against Mack for the wrongful death of Charla Mack. He has continued to appeal his conviction and the civil judgment, but these appeals have been unsuccessful thus far. He is currently serving his sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada.