I didnt do anything wrong.. Discover Lynn Murdaugh Goette Real Image & Current Location, Create Your Perfect Print With Blue And White Peel And Stick Wallpaper. The investigation took many years, with a search warrant served at Levi Chavezs home in August 2009, by which time the case was deemed a homicide. Although her parents said they were shocked at the news, they turned it around to a positive. The teenager and her baby continued to live at the Cordova family home for two years, her mother Theresa Cordova said. Hindi, along with other women Levi Chavez had been involved with, testified during the trial about their affairs, Star Tribune reported. The murder trial of Chavezs wife lasted over two years, according to KOAT. But the prosecutors had alleged that he . Mmmm detective Chavez with homicide, the text read. BUT HEATHER INSISTS THE WOMEN NEVER SPOKE. The court also heard that Hindi had been texting Levi Chavez just three weeks after his wifes death and suggesting that the two get married. 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. 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. Right. 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. Levi Chavez Found 43 people in New Mexico, Arizona and 24 other states. Chavez was accepted at the University of New Mexico Law School and began studying for his degree in 2016, where he specialized in criminal law, according to Cinemaholic. [3], The night prior to the death of his wife Tera, Levi had spent the night at his girlfriend's house. 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. Levi and Tera Chavez were high school sweethearts who married young and were raising two children together. Serna will begin his cross-examination of Heather Chavez this afternoon. This individual treats the department as his own private brothel, and while he runs amok, nobody does anything or says anything. Dr. Chavez works in Albuquerque, NM and 1 other location and specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Within two months of her death, he was engaged to a former colleague at the Albuquerque Police Department, Heather Hindi, and they were married a few months later, PEOPLE wrote. Read More: Where Are Tera Chavezs Parents Now? 'To say I blamed myself is an understatement,' he said. 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. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. Josh Mankiewicz reports Friday, November . 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 . Chavez was placed on leave at the police department where he worked and eventually, on April 7, 2011, he was arrested and charged with his wifes murder, KOAT reported. Read a reflection on the importance of community partners from our WEHC Emergency Housing Director Levi Chavez. While Levi Chavez has maintained his innocence and that his wife committed suicide, her family has remained firm in their belief that she was killed, Alibi reported. Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. 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. 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. She loved hard. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. At first,. 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. IN THE WEEKS AFTER THE FUNERAL SHE WAS HELPING MOVE TERA'S ITEMS OUT OFTHE LOS LUNAS HOME ANDMORE. Chavez could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted on charges that he killed Tera Chavez, 26, in the couples home near Los Lunas and tried to make it look like a suicide. Serna told Chavez. Earlier Thursday, the fourth of Levi Chavezs many paramours to testify in the murder trial took the stand. He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. Now her parents speak to News 13. Even Disney is laid low as staff refuse to go back to the office and executive warns working from home could destroy the future of the business, Stricken family identify new dad as paramedic who died alongside nurse, patient, patient's relative and pilot when emergency medical flight crashed in Nevada desert, Fashion designer Tamara Ralph whose dresses were worn by Meghan Markle and Lily James is back on the red carpet despite her collapsed fashion label still owing millions to former staff and the taxman, Ghislaine Maxwell to launch her appeal to overturn her 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking by claiming one of the jurors who convicted her broke the law by calling his psychiatrist, Worker pinned under 5-TON concrete slab for seven hours dies after an eighth-floor balcony collapses at Jersey Shore condo building: Witness heard him screaming 'get it off me', Health chiefs ramp up plan for global bird flu vaccine drive in case cases spread after Cambodian girl, 11, dies and her father tests positive for killer virus, PETER HITCHENS: British ISIS teen Shamima Begum is being punished without a trial All I see is a nasty sort of mob justice, Queen of Pop-ping off: Madonna's MANY feuds exposed - including spats with Gwyneth Paltrow, Cher, Elton John, and even Yellowstone's Kevin Costner - after Pink revealed all on their secret clash, Holocaust survivor, 87, who's widow of Chanel exec, sues 'philanthropist' sexpert son claiming he secretly tried to sell her $2.4m California mansion and $2.2m San Diego condo, Divers search for body parts of Elle model, 28, whose dismembered corpse was found in fridge after her ex-husband was arrested 'as he tried to board speedboat with $76,000 cash', Teacher's aide, 57, who was brutally beaten by 6'6" teen student is a 'humble' mom-of-two working two jobs whose son attends Florida high school where she was knocked out, Mick Jagger's Happy Ex-wives Club: The Rolling Stones frontman may have messed them around, but they are all now so close they share a family WhatsApp group, Rules for thee but not for me! At first, because of how the crime scene looked, Teras death was ruled a suicide. Nov 21, 2007. However, the case took a shocking turn after some disturbing facts came to the surface. webvtt in day 14 of the levi chavez trial, his current wife, a-p-d officer heather chavez takes the stand. Levi Chavez, an Albuquerque police officer, called 911 on the morning of October 22, 2007, to report that hed come home to find his wife dead of a gunshot wound from his service weapon. Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast Albuquerque, Where does medical cannabis go from here? Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Plunged into the limelight: Camilla 'wants her five teenage grandchildren to take centre stage at Charles's coronation alongside the King's Royal heirs - performing a role previously given to Duchesses as the new Queen is anointed with holy oil', Newspaper comic strip Dilbert gets canceled after its creator is branded racist for warning white people to 'get the f**k away' from black people - before doubling down on his beliefs. He told the 911 operator, Please tell them to hurry! and said shed committed suicide, PEOPLE reported. 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. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. All Rights Reserved. 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. After more than 10 hours of deliberations, a jury acquitted Chavez, 32, of murdering his depressed wife, 26-year-old Tera Chavez, in 2007 and trying to make the hairdresser's . Acquitted: Levi Chavez, center, a former Albuquerque police officer, leaves the court after his month-long trial, Grief: Theresa and Joseph Cordova, parents of Tera Chavez, leave the Sandoval County Judicial Complex, saying 'justice has not been served'. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. 2023 by Fashionuer. Chavez was eventually charged with first-degree murder and obstructing justice, responding to which he entered a not guilty plea and, to date, asserts his innocence. May 1, 2008. . ", First published on July 17, 2013 / 10:40 AM. His profile states: Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. Levi Chavez, an Albuquerque police officer, called 911 on the morning of October 22, 2007, to report that he'd come home to find his wife dead of a gunshot wound from his service weapon. State District Judge George P. Eichwald instructed the two to Quit arguing back and forth like kids.. 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. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But on that night in October, Levi, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, called 911 to report that he'd found his wife dead in their home. Under the name Heading Home, this organization has connections in New Mexico, according to its website. He will face a much higher judge upon his death and he wont have a slick as ownsh*t jew loyah to bamboozle the jury. 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. The exchange led to several objections from Levi Chavezs lawyer, David Serna, and eventually devolved into a full-blown shouting match between Serna and Keener. Keener pressed Heather Chavez on a statement she made during her deposition that her sexual relationship began in a car. Chavez was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge and told reporters outside the courtroom, Im not surprised at all. Levi Chavez is a former Albuquerque, NM Police Officer who was charged with the 2007 death of his 26yearold wife, Tera Chavez. Levi Chavez was charged with the murder of his wife, Tera, but he has maintained his innocence and said she committed suicide. The pair met when they were just teenagers starting high school, and soon, they got into a serious relationship. 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.' Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. Chavez was accused of killing his hairdresser wife, Tera, with his police-issued handgun and making it look like a suicide in October 2007. She liked to draw, and she liked to write poetry, she recalled. THE DEFENSE REVEALED TERA CALLED AT LEAST EIGHT NUMBERS ON THAT LIST-- INCLUDING HEATHER IN SEPTEMBER 2007. I didnt do anything wrong, KOAT reported. 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 Officer's Wife 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. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. Tera Chavez was just 26 years old when she was found dead of a gunshot wound on October 22, 2007. 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 . A former cop was acquitted on Tuesday of killing his depressed wife with his department-issued gun after a month-long trial that has revealed secrets of affairs and alleged corruption within an Albuquerque police force. 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 police re-opened their investigation in March of 2010 and charged Levi with her death on April 20, 2011. Heavy reached out to UNM for additional information about Chavezs admission status; however, we did not receive a response by press time. 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 wasn't far off.. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. 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. 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. Her mother said she wants the kids to know, Shed never leave them. action 7 . 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. 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. She testified this morning that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. After investigations revealed secrets involving an unhappy marriage, tangled love affairs, and a web of lies, it was Levi who came under the microscope for Teras alleged murder and the subsequent cover-up. No comments have so far been submitted. The Dateline NBC episode 'The Officer's Wife' investigates the 2007 death of 26-year-old Tera Chavez, wife of Albuquerque police officer Levi Chavez. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. "What did I tell you?" 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. 'He's got several plans in the works,' Serna said. when did the romantic relationship start? Chavez is a former Albuquerque Police Department officer, accused of killing his wife at their Los Lunas home in 2007. Prosecutors had sought to keep from jurors what Serna described in explicit detail as sexual photographs and videos Tera had taken of herself and sent to Levi. We always thought, Hell take care of her.'. Copyright 2022 by Fashionuer. She attended Teras funeral, according to her testimony, as did many other APD officers. Levi Chavez has maintained that his wife's death was an act of suicide. Her Albuquerque police officer husband found her and called 911. 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. Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. "If we had a smoking gun, I would say it was the unseated magazine," said Arthur Ortiz, a longtime New Mexico lawman,. On redirect examination, Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener asked only one question. She loved strong., READ NEXT: Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says, Tera Chavezs Death: Levi Chavez Was Charged With Murdering His Wife, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Levi said. 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. 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. But Keener pointed to more phone records that showed a call from Teras phone to Heathers on Sept. 29, 2007. READ NEXT: Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. Published: Friday, June 28th, 2013 at 12:05AMUpdated: Friday, June 28th, 2013 at 2:03PM. Upon returning home in mid-November not even a month after Tera's murder, that officer saw a car parked around the corner from his house. The trial revealed a crumbling marriage that was. But the disgraced former. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer 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. ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER LAUREN ZAKALIK IS LIVE OUTSIDE COURT TO EXPLAIN. 'Justice was not served,' Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. 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. Also in court this morning, jurors heard a heavily redacted recording of the deposition Levi Chavez gave in the civil case. Japanese models have always been admired for their skills as well as their beauty. The lawsuit against Jones was dismissed in 2018. Chavez still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Tera 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. 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. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. 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. Would love your thoughts, please comment. THEY WERE MARRIED JULY 2008, DAYS AFTER SHE FINALIZED HER DIVORCE WITH ANOTHER APD OFFICER. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. Chavez claimed that his wife committed suicide because of his many affairs. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, Through witness testimony, the public learned that Chavez had been having a number of affairs while married to Tera Chavez. The lawsuit against Jones was dismissed in 2018. Levi Chavez and Tera Chavez. Levi was ultimately cleared of all charges. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. 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. Her husband Levi is suspected soon after because of suspicious circumstantial evidence, but there is no confession, eyewitness or 'smoking gun' forensic evidence. Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want return to the state's largest police department. Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. On Jan. 15, 2008, Heather Chavez gave an interview to then-Detective Aaron Jones, who was investigating Teras death for the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. "I'm going to go to church, pray my Rosary and thank my Virgin Mary," Chavez said as he was crowded by reporters. But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. Play it now! 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. Levi Chavez eventually filed a federal lawsuit against Aaron Jones, who was a detective with the Valencia County Sheriffs Department at the time of Teras death and was one of the first on the scene. Levi Chavez Was Charged With His Wife's Murder Years Later & His New Wife & Mistresses Testified As mentioned, Levi Chavez was charged with her murder in April 2011, but it took another. Some extra notes, quotes, news and notes from the Lobos Friday night basketball game in Fort Collins, Colorado. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. View the profiles of people named 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. 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. / CBS News. "There never was a case against Levi Chavez," Serna said. 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. 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 former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT LEVI BOUGHT HER A DIAMOND RING. THE TEXTS DIDN'T STOP THERE ANOTHER, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, FROM HEATHER TO LEVI SAYING HE WAS HER REASON TO EXIST. 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. Breaking News: Levi Chavez found NOT GUILTY of all charges in the death of Tera Chavez in 2007. 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. The donut shop has announced it has closed its South Valley and Northeast Heights locations. He told reporters, Im not surprised at all. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. One day, [the kids] are going to be of age, and theyre going to want to know, her father told Alibi. "He's got several plans in the works," Serna said. 'There never was a case against Levi Chavez,'Serna said. By that time, though, their marriage was already crumbling apart as Levi was having affairs with several women, many of whom he worked with on the police force. Not among them was APD officer Steve Hindi, to whom Heather was married at the time. All Rights Reserved. Then, on April 7, 2011, the police officer was charged with Tera Chavezs murder, arrested and fired from his job with the police department, KOAT wrote. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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 discovered his wife dead, with a gunshot wound to the mouth upon returning home on October 22, 2007.