I did. Dateline NBC: The Officer's Wife on Apple Podcasts 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. A summary is at Levi Chavez, Ex-Police Officer, Not Guilty Of Murdering Wife. He. The upcoming episode of Dateline Unforgettable will premiere at 8.00 pm ET on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. 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. 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 . 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'. Valencia County sheriffs initially ruled the death as a suicide due to the "close proximity of the gun to the body. Her family said they knew there was trouble in the relationship and they had heard Levi Chavez was cheating on his wife, Alibi reported. "What did I tell you?" 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. During his trial, he was found not guilty of first-degree murder and was acquitted of the charges. Levi Chavez takes the stand in murder of his ex wife Not among them was APD officer Steve Hindi, to whom Heather was married at the time. Police officers, pathologists, the women Levi had relationships with, and Tera's family all testified throughout the 6-week-long court case. On redirect examination, Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener asked only one question. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. THEY WERE MARRIED JULY 2008, DAYS AFTER SHE FINALIZED HER DIVORCE WITH ANOTHER APD OFFICER. 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. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. THE DEFENSE REVEALED TERA CALLED AT LEAST EIGHT NUMBERS ON THAT LIST-- INCLUDING HEATHER IN SEPTEMBER 2007. Jim Fisher True Crime: The Levi Chavez Murder Case - Blogger Jorge was born on August 28, 1961 in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. But Keener pointed to more phone records that showed a call from Teras phone to Heathers on Sept. 29, 2007. The Harwood Museum of Art's exhibition 'Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy' explores this history through archival photographs and contemporary art. 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. Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. However, the case took a shocking turn after some disturbing facts came to the surface. 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. Her twin brother described her as a strong woman and a loving mother. action 7 . 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. Thats the past, Heather Chavez said in court today. 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. 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. heather chavez albuquerque police Levi Chavez. 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. 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. Levi was born on October 9, 1925 in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico to Jose and Hilaria Chavez. 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. They werent told that tens of instances in which Levi Chavezs attorneys asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination had been excised from the deposition. Facebook It was hailed as a new era when designers finally recognised 'real women' but they have once again been sidelined by stick-thin models, Taking the Mickey! I knew Id be acquitted. She testified this morning that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. 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. 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. 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.' I didnt speak with her.. 'To say I blamed myself is an understatement,' he said. Joseph Cordova, Teras father, told the outlet, The culture which we grew up in, his family was from law enforcement. 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. But the prosecutors had alleged that he . Levi Chavez. Shed never leave them of her own will. Chavez alleged malicious prosecution, malicious abuse of process, defamation, and outrageous conduct, court documents show. . Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. Payton Gendron: Why Payton Gendron Got Arrested? Your login session has expired. 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. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT LEVI BOUGHT HER A DIAMOND RING. He told the operator she killed herself and that he hadnt said anything because He thought she needed time.. 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. That wouldve been after she moved out of the home she shared with Steve Hindi, according to her testimony. Ex-New Mexico Cop Levi Chavez Acquitted of Wife's Murder - Newsmax Over the next several months, detectives began digging into Levi Chavezs story and the investigation eventually deemed her death a homicide. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. Ex-New Mexico police officer acquitted of wife's murder 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 Valencia County District Attorney stated Chavez violated the . '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!' Levi found Tera shot dead in their. Trying to figure out where the medical cannabis program stands now is up for debate one side saying the program is expected to University of New Mexico Hospital launching health care listening Hospital CEO Kate Becker says 'we really want to hear from our community about what their health needs are' in order to prioritize resources. Emergency Housing Director, Westside Emergency Housing Center. . Audrina Patridge Niece: What Happened To Sadie Raine Loza? 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. We raised Andrea as a family., The young couple married in 2000 even though their relationship was already facing some problems, her brothers said. They also said hed had other affairs, including with some of the neighbors and other Albuquerque police officers. Where Is Levi Chavez Now? - The Cinemaholic INVESTIGATION - ABQjournal Metro: Death Now Called Suspicious INVESTIGATION - ABQjournal Metro: Death Now Called Suspicious. Former police officer acquitted of murder in wife's death - NBC News 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. Im innocent. Obituary | Levi Chavez | Rogers Mortuary Inc. Tera, a four-year-old girl, died in August 2017 when her car seat was too full of pillows and blankets while she was strapped into it. 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. 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" Following the not-guilty verdict, Chavez fileda federal lawsuit against Aaron Jones, a detective with the Valencia County Sheriffs Department at the time of Teras death. 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. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Serna told Chavez. THE WOMEN NEVER DID MEET. 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 . Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. [1] Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. 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. 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. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the one who called 911 and told them shed committed suicide. He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. Where Are Tera Chavez's Parents Now? - The Cinemaholic It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. No comments have so far been submitted. Please enter valid email address to continue. INVESTIGATION - Death of APD Officer's Wife Investigated INVESTIGATION - Death of APD Officer's Wife Investigated. For Tera Chavez, Levi was her high school sweetheart, husband, and the entire world. Levi Chavez's current wife testifies - Albuquerque Journal 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Chavez is a former Albuquerque Police Department officer, accused of killing his wife at their Los Lunas home in 2007. DATELINE FRIDAY SNEAK PEEK: The Officer's Wife - NBC News ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER LAUREN ZAKALIK IS LIVE OUTSIDE COURT TO EXPLAIN. Tera Chavez. What To Know About The Tera Chavez Case Featured In - Yahoo! 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. She attended Teras funeral, according to her testimony, as did many other APD officers. 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. The pair met when they were just teenagers starting high school, and soon, they got into a serious relationship. He is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years. The case made national news when Officer Chavez's sexual history became known, including affairs with fellow police officers, and that he spent the night before his wife was killed with his current girlfriend. 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. The case made national headlines in 2013 as more details came to light . He and his defense attorney, David Serna, maintain that Tera shot herself with Levis Glock 9 mm. The call did not go to voicemail. At first,. 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. Tera Chavez's Death: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com READ NEXT: Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. 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. The two met twice thereafter to have sex before Levi Chavez called 911 to say his wife had shot herself in the head. 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. Levi Chavez. Comparing Online Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses. Chavez found his estranged wife Tera dead of a gunshot wound in the living room of their home in 2007. Under often-contentious cross-examination by Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener that bordered on combative, Heather Chavez conceded that October 2007 wasnt the first time she had ever spoken to Levi Chavez. July 31, 2015 - Former APD officer Levi Chavez has been admitted to the UNM Law School. "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast Albuquerque, Where does medical cannabis go from here? Japanese models have always been admired for their skills as well as their beauty. Also in court this morning, jurors heard a heavily redacted recording of the deposition Levi Chavez gave in the civil case. 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. Powered by. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. Thats also where she was working on Oct. 8, 2007, the first time she met Levi Chavez face-to-face, according to her testimony. Levi also asserted that when Tera apparently killed herself, he was away, spending the weekend at one of his girlfriends apartment. [3], The night prior to the death of his wife Tera, Levi had spent the night at his girlfriend's house. "I'm going to go to church, pray my Rosary and thank my Virgin Mary," Chavez said as he was crowded by reporters. 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. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. Jones showed Heather Chavez crime scene photos from Teras death scene and told her people were worried about her. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. 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. WE ALSO LEARNED FRIDAY THAT HEATHER-WENT TO TERA CHAVEZ'S FUNERAL. Chavez was tried in 2013 for murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife Tera Chavez.