Levi Chavez, 32, was accused of killing his hairdresser wife with his police-issued handgun and making it look like a suicide amid a crumbling marriage that included a love triangle at her hair . Dateline: Unforgettable's upcoming episode, in a re-broadcast, will cover the story of Tera Chavez's tragic death while also narrating the heated and controversial trial of her cop husband, Levi Chavez. Please logout and login again. BERNALILLOTwenty-four days after Levi Chavez called 911 to say his wife had shot herself in the head, a text message popped up on his cellphone suggesting that a new marriage wasnt far off. News of his admittance to the university was met with some concern from alumni and other students, New Mexico PBS reported. Levi Chavez came back the following week and did exactly that. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. He and his defense attorney, David Serna, maintain that Tera shot herself with Levis Glock 9 mm. That wouldve been after she moved out of the home she shared with Steve Hindi, according to her testimony. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Levi Chavez is a former police officer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who was charged with the 2007 death of his 26-year-old wife, Tera Chavez. I didnt do anything wrong, KOAT reported. . With the departure of our son, Jorge Levi Chavez, to eternity, I write that he was not a son from the womb but from the. The Levi Chavez verdict came after a five-week trial and a six-year investigation that put the 32-year-old former police officer on trial for the October 2007 shooting death of his wife in their home near Los Lunas, New Mexico. Critics, supporters offer differing opinions on program's future in New Mexico, University of New Mexico Hospital launching health care listening tour, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro to reopen after three years. In 2018, the case was dismissed due to missing information and incorrect information that was cited as reasons to dismiss the case. The tawdry details spilled in the trial and the questions it raised about the practices of the Albuquerque Police Department have further tarnished the agency, which is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department over a series of police shootings. He was accused of murdering his wife by the victim's family and one of the detectives working the case and was ultimately acquitted of all charges in 2013 after being found not guilty by a jury. Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. The morning of 22 October 2007, he returned to the couple's home in Los Lunas, NM where he . Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Levi Chavez, ex-police officer, not guilty of murdering wife", "Levi Chavez relinquishes police certification", "Extramarital affairs take center stage in ex-cop murder trial", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Levi_Chavez&oldid=1082952788, Articles needing additional references from March 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Former police officer, Attorney at Law, www.levichavezlaw.com, This page was last edited on 16 April 2022, at 03:25. But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. Police officers, pathologists, the women Levi had relationships with, and Tera's family all testified throughout the 6-week-long court case. At first, because of how the crime scene looked, Teras death was ruled a suicide. Dr. Through witness testimony, the public learned that Chavez had been having a number of affairs while married to Tera Chavez. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Her twin brother described her as a strong woman and a loving mother. Published: 09:01 EST, 17 July 2013 | Updated: 09:01 EST, 17 July 2013. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. / CBS News. Emergency Housing Director, Westside Emergency Housing Center. But on direct examination by Bryan McKay, senior trial attorney for the 13th Judicial District Attorneys Office, Garley testified that she also went to the home the Chavezes had shared at 11 Ash Place on the weekend of Nov. 11 and 12, 2007. Her relationship with Chavez started when he was still married to Marisabel. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. Meanwhile, in the courtroom, Chavez and family gathered to pray a Hail Mary until Serna grabbed Chavez by the arm to escort him through a crowded pathway of supporters and family members. Chavez discovered his wife dead, with a gunshot wound to the mouth upon returning home on October 22, 2007. A A. Levi Chavez, an ex-New Mexico police officer, was acquitted Tuesday in the 2007 murder of his estranged wife, but could still face a wrongful death civil lawsuit. ", As the murder case gained more attention from the media and public, Chavez and the Albuquerque Police Department became the targets of heavy scrutiny. Following the verdict, emotional family members of Tera Chavez were quickly escorted out of Sandoval District Court, the result of an edict from state District Judge George Eichwald who sought to ease tensions between the two families. Levi started working for Heading Home in 2015. Levi Chavez's current wife, Heather Chavez, took the stand Friday.She detailed the development of the pair's relationship following the death of Levi Chavez's former wife, Tera. In December 2013, it was made public that Chavez had relinquished his police officer certification. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. Season 2 Episode 2 of Dateline: Unforgettable is scheduled to air on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 8.00 pm ET on Oxygen, with Josh Mankiewicz reporting on the story. [1] state calls heather chavez : IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE PROSECUTION TO JUMP RIGHT INTO THE PERSONAL DETAILS OF APD DETECTIVE HEATHER HINDI'S BLOSSOMING RELATIONSHIP WITH RECENT WIDOWER LEVI CHAVEZ IN 2007.' August 7, 2015. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. He finally went on trial for the allegations brought against him in 2013, a full two years after the charges were first brought. After the two reviewed numerous pages of Verizon records showing calls made to and from both Teras and Levis cellphones, as well as cellphone tower records, Serna declared that the records supported his clients story about where he had been the weekend of Teras death. Chavez was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge and told reporters outside the courtroom, Im not surprised at all. Thats when she married Levi Chavez and took his last name, according to testimony she gave this morning at the end of the third week in her husbands murder trial. He has full custody of his two children, according to Tera's parents Joseph and Theresa Cordova. Payton Gendron: Why Payton Gendron Got Arrested? Levi Chavez testified during his trial that he had a series of mistresses but reiterated that he did not kill his wife. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. Witnesses also described a workplace where interoffice romance was rampant and said both Levi and Tera Chavez had affairs with members of the police force. They married in July 2008, just a few days after Hindis divorce from another Albuquerque police officer was finalized. Woke professor who opposes charter schools sent her sons to Manhattan's $60,000-a-year Dalton Prep: Denies hypocrisy and blames ex-husband, Defense says evidence is consistent with suicide, Cops at Albuquerque Police Department accused of tampering with evidence. YouTubeLevi Chavezs second wife Heather testifying during the trial. I knew Id be acquitted. Chavez still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Tera Chavez. Levi Chavez. After more than 10 hours of deliberations, a jury acquitted Levi Chavez, 32, of murdering of his wife, 26-year-old Tera Chavez, in 2007 and trying to make the hairdresser's death look like. INVESTIGATION - ABQjournal Metro: Death Now Called Suspicious INVESTIGATION - ABQjournal Metro: Death Now Called Suspicious. That case is scheduled to be heard in state District Court in Bernalillo County and has been on hold while the criminal trial was held. The morning of October 22, 2007, he allegedly returned to the couple's home in Los Lunas, New Mexico, where he discovered the body of his wife. pic.twitter.com/O5xOecrgtD, HeadingHomeNM (@HeadingHomeNM) June 1, 2020. "What did I tell you?" However, after several suspicions, connections, and autopsy reports were drawn, investigators and the victim's family accused the officer of allegedly shooting and murdering Tera Chavez in the bed of their Los Lunas home. Powered by. According to reports, he is now the husband of APD Detective Heather. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. Indeed, the records appeared to show that Levi Chavezs cellphone was in Valencia County early on Oct. 19 and that he was on Albuquerques West Side, where he was working a swing shift for APD, later that day. I told you guys that from the beginning. This individual treats the department as his own private brothel, and while he runs amok, nobody does anything or says anything. Levi Chavez, right, a former Albuquerque police officer, gets a congratulatory hug from his attorney David Serna on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, in Bernalillo, N.M., after a jury acquitted him of murder and tampering with evidence charges in the 2007 death of his estranged wife, Tera Chavez. Levi Chavez has full custody of his two children, according to Teras parents Joseph and Theresa Cordova, Alibi reported. We raised Andrea as a family., The young couple married in 2000 even though their relationship was already facing some problems, her brothers said. BERNALILLO, N.M. The monthlong criminal trial and all its salacious stories of law officer affairs and a blundering investigation are over, but a civil trial looms for a former Albuquerque policeman acquitted of killing his depressed wife with his department-issued gun. The murder trial eventually took place in the summer of 2013 and lasted a total of 21 days of testimony and two days of deliberation, KOAT wrote. Katrina Garley testified that she met Levi Chavez when he walked into the Verizon cellphone store in Los Lunas to buy a phone in early October 2007. Chavezs bio states that hes the emergency housing director at the Westside Emergency Housing Center. Guitarist Ottmar Liebert bringing his unique blend of music Ottmar Liebert and his band Luna Negra will perform with the New Mexico Philharmonic at Popejoy Hall on Saturday, March 11. Where is he today? He told reporters that he wasnt surprised at all and that throughout the whole process, he knew he would be cleared. She was quiet. A few years later, the family of four moved back to New Mexico, where Levi Chavez became a police officer with the Alburquerque Police Department and Tera Chavez started going to barber college. The following article appeared on page C1 of the Friday, June 28, 2013, edition of the Albuquerque Journal. Chavez told jurors that he found his wife dead from a gunshot wound and thought it was God's way of punishing him. Not among them was APD officer Steve Hindi, to whom Heather was married at the time. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. The two met twice thereafter to have sex before Levi Chavez called 911 to say his wife had shot herself in the head. Jones also told her that Levi Chavez had numerous affairs while he was married to Tera, but according to Keeners characterization of Heather Chavezs previous statements, she wasnt interested. July 17, 2013 / 10:40 AM Powered by WordPress.com VIP. He is suing the detective who first launched the investigation into the 2007 death of Levi's wife, Tera Chavez. Chavez called 911 to report the alleged suicide around 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2007. 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Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. After Chavez left the store, Garley sent him a text message on his newly purchased phone to tell him he had nice eyes, she said from the witness stand. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Much of the trial centered on allegations that Albuquerque police officers who responded to the Chavez home in nearby Los Lunas removed and even flushed key evidence down a toilet. The official synopsis of the episode says. Levi Chavez Now: Where Is Tera Chavezs Husband Today? Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. Also in court this morning, jurors heard a heavily redacted recording of the deposition Levi Chavez gave in the civil case. The Officer's Wife Dateline NBC True Crime Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher When police officer Levi Chavez finds his wife, Tera, shot to death in their home, an investigation into her murder begins as buried secrets are revealed. Chavez of course denies the incident. However, the case took a shocking turn after some disturbing facts came to the surface. May 1, 2008. Later on, when Tera passed away, he claimed that the only reason he hadnt left his wife was because of their two children. State District Judge George P. Eichwald instructed the two to Quit arguing back and forth like kids.. ", First published on July 17, 2013 / 10:40 AM. He was acquitted of her murder on Tuesday, The less-than-perfect crime: Tera Chavez was killed when her husband allegedly shot her in the mouth and tried to make it look like a suicide. At first,. [3], The night prior to the death of his wife Tera, Levi had spent the night at his girlfriend's house. Detective Aaron Jones with the Valencia County Sheriffs Office said he found Tera Chavezs diary, which detailed her despair and, in more recent times, her hopes for the future and her decision to leave her husband. action 7 . BUT HEATHER INSISTS THE WOMEN NEVER SPOKE. In October of 2007, Tera, a mother of two, allegedly shot and killed herself at the couple's home while their children were at a family member's house. In the trial's final days, Chavez took the stand and acknowledged having a string of mistresses, searching a website on how to kill someone with martial arts moves, and ignoring his wife's calls for help. I didnt do anything wrong.. Levi Chavez claimed he returned to their Los Lunas, New Mexico, home on Oct. 22, 2007, to find his wife's dead body in bed after taking a bullet right into the 26-year-old's mouth. However, nearly four years after Tera took her last breath, Levi was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with evidence. Please enter valid email address to continue. "If we had a smoking gun, I would say it was the unseated magazine," said Arthur Ortiz, a longtime New Mexico lawman,. Police officer Levi Chavez called 911 in 2007 to report that hed come home to find his wife deceased of a headshot wound. Prosecutors allege that Levi Chavez shot Tera Chavez, 26, once in the mouth with his APD-issued Glock 9 mm pistol and tried to make it look like a suicide. Chavez alleged malicious prosecution, malicious abuse of process, defamation, and outrageous conduct, court documents show. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. Chavez was accused of killing his hairdresser wife, Tera, with his police-issued handgun and making it look like a suicide in October 2007. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. He had come to the CACU office to schedule a time to shadow Heather, according to her testimony, meaning she would show him the ropes of detective work in the unit. Im innocent. All Rights Reserved. His ex-wife, Kellie May Xiong Chauvin, who was crowned Mrs. Minnesota in 2019, legally separated from Chauvin on May 28, 2020 - just three days after a viral bystander video showed her husband . The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. Play it now! New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer Facebook Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast Albuquerque, Where does medical cannabis go from here? . But, in the end, after two days of deliberation, because of a lack of physical evidence linking him to Teras death, or something that even concretely proved that it was a homicide, Levi, who was facing life in prison, was acquitted of all charges. Detective Jones, who suspected that Levi Chavez had murdered his wife eighteen to twenty hours before he . She had a twin brother, named Josh, who said, She was my lifeline. Japanese models have always been admired for their skills as well as their beauty. Check arrest records, resumes and CV, photos and videos, news, social media profiles, publications, places of employment, work history and public records . Levi Chavez and Tera Chavez. Audrina Patridge Niece: What Happened To Sadie Raine Loza? He has full custody of his two children, according to Teras parents Joseph and Theresa Cordova. COVID-19 has impacted how we provide prioritized street outreach, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing services to people experiencing homelessness. Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly not injured after their vehicle rolled in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning in Northeast Albuquerque. Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want return to the state's largest police department. Levi Chavez alleged malicious prosecution, malicious abuse of process, defamation, and outrageous conduct, according to court documents. Accused: Prosecutors have depicted Levi Chavez as a philanderer whose marriage was crumbling, and say he killed his wife after she found out he had staged the theft of his pickup truck to collect the insurance proceeds. 2023 by Fashionuer. After a few years there, they moved back to Los Lunas, and Levi got a job as a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. That treatment included sexual relationships with four different women and constant breakups that began with way back when the couple were high school students. "He's got several plans in the works," Serna said. Levi had spent the night at his current girlfriend's house. The problem here was that his girlfriend couldnt remember exactly when Levi came to her place or when he left. She testified this morning that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. Heres what you need to know about Tera Chavezs death: Levi Chavez said he came home on October 22, 2007, and found his wife dead from a gunshot wound from his service weapon, PEOPLE wrote. DETAILING JUST HOW QUICKLY THEIR RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPED ONCE TERA CHAVEZ DIED. 'Guilt doesn't even begin to describe it.'. While there isn't an official wife, the second of Hugo Chavez's four children, 29 year-old Maria Gabriela, plays the role of First Lady of the . THE DEFENSE REVEALED TERA CALLED AT LEAST EIGHT NUMBERS ON THAT LIST-- INCLUDING HEATHER IN SEPTEMBER 2007. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. Now that so many years have gone by, lets take a look at where he currently is, shall we? you were talking about yourself, and you were talking about possibly marrying him bc his name was chavez, and you wanted to go to homicide. detailing just how quickly their relationship developed once tera chavez died. However, Chavez said his wife's death later helped him reform his philandering ways and he later married another police officer two months after his wife's death. Former APD officer Levi Chavez is accused of killing his wife Tera. According to the prosecution, she was on the verge of filing a complaint against him for fraudulent activity. 'There never was a case against Levi Chavez,'Serna said. All Rights Reserved. July 31, 2015 - Former APD officer Levi Chavez has been admitted to the UNM Law School. Hindi, along with other women Levi Chavez had been involved with, testified during the trial about their affairs, Star Tribune reported. Prosecutor Bryan McKay, who told jurors during closing arguments that Chavez used his department-issued gun to commit "cold-blooded, calculated, planned-out murder," declined to comment after the verdict. The two exchanged seven telephone calls on May 12 of that year, according to cellphone records that investigators found under a mattress Tera Chavezs body was lying on. During his trial, he was found not guilty of first-degree murder and was acquitted of the charges. But I didnt see them, she said, adding later that she also didnt see any items that looked like they had belonged to Tera. After being pronounced not guilty by a jury in 2013, Levi sought to become a lawyer after a couple of years of training and was admitted into the University of New Mexico Law School, where he reportedly concentrated on criminal law. Serna told Chavez. After Garleys testimony, Serna and Keener argued for more than 45 minutes outside the presence of the jury about which of the cellphone data examined by an FBI analyst should be shown to the jury. Nov 21, 2007. A Comprehensive Review of Edubirdies Academic Writing Service. The Harwood Museum of Art's exhibition 'Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy' explores this history through archival photographs and contemporary art. Her family said they knew there was trouble in the relationship and they had heard Levi Chavez was cheating on his wife, Alibi reported. Heather Chavez said she hadnt remembered those calls when she gave a deposition in a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by Teras family against Levi. In an indictment filed in April 2011 that charges Levi Chavez with first-degree murder and evidence tampering, prosecutors say he killed Tera in the couples home near Los Lunas on Oct. 19, 20 or 21, 2007. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
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