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. 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. According to their website, Levi holds the title of Emergency Housing Director at their Westside Emergency Housing Center. On the morning of Oct. 22, 2007, Levi said he came home in Los Lunas and found his wife dead in bed from a gunshot to her mouth. Levi was engaged to Heather Hindi two months after Tera died and married a few months later, according to PEOPLE. His profile states: Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. Levi Chavez is a former Albuquerque, NM Police Officer who was charged with the 2007 death of his 26yearold wife, Tera Chavez. Current wife insists she never spoke with Tera Chavez Recommended Stories CinemaBlend Viral TikTok Shows Off Moment JLo's Face Filter Fails And Some Of Her Wrinkles Are Exposed Jennifer Lopez. 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. 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. The morning of 22 October 2007, he returned to the couple's home in Los Lunas, NM where he . Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. Thats the past, Heather Chavez said in court today. A month after Tera Chavezs death, her husband was placed on leave at the Albuquerque Police Department as the investigation into her death continued, KOAT reported. Josh Mankiewicz reports. THE DEFENSE REVEALED TERA CALLED AT LEAST EIGHT NUMBERS ON THAT LIST-- INCLUDING HEATHER IN SEPTEMBER 2007. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, On redirect examination, Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener asked only one question. AP Photo/Albuquerque Journal, Adolphe Pierre-Louis, Colombia wants to deport "cocaine hippos" to stop them from multiplying, Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murders of wife and son. 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. BREAKING: Former APD officer Levi Chavez back in jail: A Valencia County judge has sent Levi Chavez back to jail after a hearing on Wednesday. Chavezs bio states that hes the emergency housing director at the Westside Emergency Housing Center. However, nearly four years after Tera took her last breath, Levi was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with evidence. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Some extra notes, quotes, news and notes from the Lobos Friday night basketball game in Fort Collins, Colorado. Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. The donut shop has announced it has closed its South Valley and Northeast Heights locations. 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. Chavez alleged malicious prosecution, malicious abuse of process, defamation, and outrageous conduct, court documents show. BERNALILLO Its impossible to say based on cellphone records where Levi Chavez was for 15 hours near the end of the three-day period during which prosecutors say he killed his wife in 2007, according to a cellphone company analyst who testified Thursday in the former APD officers murder trial. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. The interview between Levi Chavez and former Valencia County Sheriff's Detective Aaron Jones was recorded shortly after deputies found Tera Chavez at the couple's home, dead from a gunshot . Josh Mankiewicz reports Friday, November . That treatment included sexual relationships with four different women and constant breakups that began with way back when the couple were high school students. 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. Previous Post 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. This individual treats the department as his own private brothel, and while he runs amok, nobody does anything or says anything. 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 a . Copyright 2022 by Fashionuer. 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. I wasnt worried.. Following a couple of years of preparation, he applied to be a lawyer and was accepted into the University of New Mexico Law School, entering class of 2016, where he apparently specialized in criminal law. Play it now! And really, these female cops, Regina Sanchez, Heather whatever her name is, and SRO officer horrible Debra Romero have the audacity to say "I didn't know" 'To say I blamed myself is an understatement,' he said. Her Albuquerque police officer husband found her and called 911. Japanese models have always been admired for their skills as well as their beauty. According to reports, he is now the husband of APD Detective Heather. 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. The two had gotten engaged just two months after Tera Chavezs death and prosecutors asked questions about how quickly Levi Chavez had moved on. 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Former APD officer Levi Chavez is accused of killing his wife Tera. He is suing the detective who first launched the investigation into the 2007 death of Levi's wife, Tera Chavez. Levi Chavez was acquitted in that case, but many people are raising concerns about whether his presence in the next class of law students . At the age of just 15, Tera became pregnant with their first child, Andrea, and although she stayed with her parents raising the baby for the next few years, Levi was with her whenever possible. Heather Chavez said that, despite the appearance given in the text she sent Levi about taking his last name and more than 400 calls between the two from Oct. 8, 2007 to Dec. 12 of that year they did not begin a sexual relationship until late November or early December.. Tera Chavez died on 22nd October 2007 at Los Lunas, New Mexico, United States, she was 26 years old during her time of death and according to the report she died from a gunshot wound from her husband's service weapon. 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. 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. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. Join Facebook to connect with Levi Chavez and others you may know. 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. Chavez was tried in 2013 for murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife Tera Chavez. IN THE WEEKS AFTER THE FUNERAL SHE WAS HELPING MOVE TERA'S ITEMS OUT OFTHE LOS LUNAS HOME ANDMORE. Her room was the best room in the house to walk into because it smelled so good.. 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. ", As the murder case gained more attention from the media and public, Chavez and the Albuquerque Police Department became the targets of heavy scrutiny. At first,. According to several local coverages, the news of his admission to the university inspired mixed reactions from alumni and other students. The lawsuit against Jones was dismissed in 2018. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. Levi Chavez and Tera Chavez. 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. It took two years following Chavezs arrest for the trial to move forward due to delays from civil trials, motion hearings and the trial having to move venues, according to KOAT. Her husband, Albuquerque Police Department officer Levi Chavez, was the one who discovered her body and called 911, claiming that it looked like his wife had shot herself with his department-issued weapon. All Rights Reserved. Be the first one to comment on this story. when did the romantic relationship start? Where does medical cannabis go from here? Now that he has graduated, instead of being a practicing attorney, Levi works at a non-profit organization called Heading Home, which spearheads the campaign to eradicate homelessness in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I told you guys that from the beginning. Not among them was APD officer Steve Hindi, to whom Heather was married at the time. In December 2013, it was made public that Chavez had relinquished his police officer certification. Check arrest records, resumes and CV, photos and videos, news, social media profiles, publications, places of employment, work history and public records . Tera Chavez. The OTHER side of the law: Former Albuquerque police officer Levi Chavez seen here in his mugshot after allegedly murdering his wife. Levi has undergraduate degrees from UNM and CNM, as well as a law degree from the UNM School of Law. 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.' We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The records also show that following the end of the shift at midnight, the phone was in the far Northeast Heights, near the home of a fellow APD officer with whom Chavez was having an affair. During the gap, Keener asked, You have no idea where the cellphone of Mr. Chavez was?. THE WOMEN NEVER DID MEET. Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. 'He's got several plans in the works,' Serna said. Levi Chavez. The following article appeared on page C1 of the Friday, June 28, 2013, edition of the Albuquerque Journal. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. Levi Chavez, 32, admitted to 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. He finally went on trial for the allegations brought against him in 2013, a full two years after the charges were first brought. 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 . Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. Hindi said on the stand that shed never met Tera Chavez, but she went to her funeral and helped move her things out of the family home after her death, footage from the trial shows. Nov 21, 2007. After gaining back his freedom, Levi Chavez decided that he wanted to change his career but still be in the justice system. Although the case initially looked like a suicide, investigators dug up evidence and theories that proved otherwise. He is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years. Thats also where she was working on Oct. 8, 2007, the first time she met Levi Chavez face-to-face, according to her testimony. Her relationship with Chavez started when he was still married to Marisabel. His new wife, Heather Hindi, who was one of his fellow officers, also testified on the stand. The trial for a man accused of killing his wife while he was an Albuquerque cop and then trying to cover it up started Monday. Now that so many years have gone by, lets take a look at where he currently is, shall we? rules the death self-inflicted The medical examiner ruled Tera's death a suicide. 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 . Serna will begin his cross-examination of Heather Chavez this afternoon. Freed: Levi Chavez, right, a former Albuquerque police officer, gets a hug from his wife Heather Chavez after being acquitted of his first wife's murder, Relief: Chavez hugs his attorney David Serna in Sandoval District Court in Bernalillo, New Mexico on Tuesday. One key talking point during the investigation into Tera Chavezs death and the murder trial was how quickly Levi Chavez appeared to have moved on. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. It appears that Chavez is now working for a non-profit organization called Heading Home that gives emergency housing and permanent housing support to people who are homeless in New Mexico, according to their website. In 2000, they tied the knot and moved to Virginia, where Levi was working as a Coast Guard. Valencia County sheriffs initially ruled the death as a suicide due to the "close proximity of the gun to the body. 'This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out.'. State District Judge George Eichwald ruled that one nude photograph would be available only to the jury that it wouldnt be shown in open court and that the lawyers could ask questions of witnesses about the videos without getting into the details.. At first, because of how the crime scene looked, Teras death was ruled a suicide. On July 5, 2008, half of the desire she expressed in the text came true. . Asked if he would try to get his old job back with the Albuquerque Police Department, Chavez blurted out a date but declined to say what that date meant. Levi and Tera Chavez were high school sweethearts who married young and were raising two children together. She was quiet. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. 'I took her for granted.'. I didnt do anything wrong, KOAT reported. 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. Aug 19, 2008 . 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. She had a twin brother, named Josh, who said, She was my lifeline. But the disgraced former. The city of Albuquerque already has paid Tera's family $230,000 to settle claims against it and its police department in the civil 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. Asked if he would try to get his old job back with the Albuquerque Police Department, Chavez blurted out a date but declined to say what that date meant. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. ROYALE, LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER TERA CHAVEZ DIED-THEN A-P-D DETECTIVE HEATHER HINDI WAS ALREADY TEXTING LEVI ABOUT HER NAME BECOMING HEATHER CHAVEZ INDICATING SHE WANTED TO MARRY HIM. 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. Theyve long been appreciated for their Sign up for our daily newsletter and get the best of fashionuer in your in-box. THEY WERE MARRIED JULY 2008, DAYS AFTER SHE FINALIZED HER DIVORCE WITH ANOTHER APD OFFICER. Tera Chavezs mother, Theresa Cordova, said her daughter was an artist, according to a feature on Chavezs life in Alibi. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "Justice was not served," Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. Tera Chavezs parents say the entire legal process has been difficult because they want to continue to be in their grandchildrens lives but they also want Teras kids to know she didnt commit suicide. or debate this issue live on our message boards. 'He took one more breath and that's it': Mother describes Ex-marine father murdered wife and 17-month-old son before Pennsylvania woman gets life for stabbing her fianc to Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' The other half of Heather Chavezs wish never came to pass. In his profile, it says: During the investigations into Tera Chavezs murder and during Levi Chavezs trial, one key talking point was how quickly he appeared to move on. As soon as this grand jury indictment came out, Levi was fired from the Albuquerque Police Department, from where he had been on administrative leave for over a year. Comparing Online Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. Levi Chavez has full custody of his two children, according to Teras parents Joseph and Theresa Cordova, Alibi reported. "Please tell them to hurry!" the 26-year-old can be heard saying. 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. On the 911 call, Levi Chavez can be heard crying and saying Please tell them to hurry! Her death was ruled a suicide by the medical examiner, but investigators began thinking it might have been a homicide and the cause of death was changed to undetermined, PEOPLE reported. 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. Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. They also said hed had other affairs, including with some of the neighbors and other Albuquerque police officers. Keener pressed Heather Chavez on a statement she made during her deposition that her sexual relationship began in a car. A former Albuquerque police officer has been acquitted of murder in the death of his wife after a trial that contained a series of salacious revelations about his extramarital affairs with. Levi Chavez has maintained that his wife's death was an act of suicide. 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 a suicide. The case made national headlines in 2013 as more details came to light about the case and about Levi Chavez' personal life. Some of the affairs were with female APD officers.[4]. / CBS News. During his testimony last week, Chavez frequently broke down and had to take breaks when he recounted his ill treatment of his late wife throughout their marriage. She was my secret-bank. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. 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. Levi Chavez was working at the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department when he was arrested in 2011, but it wasnt until two years later, in 2013, that he stood trial for the charges against him. 'I don't feel like speaking for his future.'. Serna on Thursday spent two and a half hours cross-examining Citizen. The two met twice thereafter to have sex before Levi Chavez called 911 to say his wife had shot herself in the head. Levi was born on October 9, 1925 in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico to Jose and Hilaria Chavez. Breaking News: Levi Chavez found NOT GUILTY of all charges in the death of Tera Chavez in 2007. Levi started working for Heading Home in 2015. Josh Mankiewicz reports. August 7, 2015. Over the next several months, detectives began digging into Levi Chavezs story and the investigation eventually deemed her death a homicide. I told you guys that from the beginning. M.E. 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. Levi said. action 7 . Heavy reached out to UNM for additional information about Chavezs admission status; however, we did not receive a response by press time. Facebook The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 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. If the scores of text messages, call logs, pictures of Teras children and photos of her kitties were going to be admitted as evidence, Serna argued, so, too, should the naked pictures and videos. Facebook gives people the power to. Tera Chavez had been looking for a business space to rent for her salon and had an appointment to meet a landlord just two days after the day she died, Alibi wrote. Yet, with no proof of the former, he couldnt be charged or arrested for fraud. I did WE ALSO LEARNED TODAY THAT UNDERNEATH THE MATTRESS ON WHICH TERA CHAVEZ WAS FOUND DEAD WAS A CALL LOG FROM LEVI'S CELL PHONE. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. This week I spotted my very sweet friend's husband on a dating app and what I did next will leave most of you outraged, writes JANA HOCKING, Billionaire financier Thomas H. 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Tera Chavez moved to Virginia to be with her husband after graduating, as hed been posted there with the Coast Guard and the young woman was soon pregnant again with their second child, Alibi reported.
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