Now that so many years have gone by, lets take a look at where he currently is, shall we? In July 2013, after a month-long trial, the verdict from the jury came in: not guilty. One day, [the kids] are going to be of age, and theyre going to want to know, her father told Alibi. Levi Chavez came back the following week and did exactly that. Levi Chavez was charged with the murder of his wife, Tera, but he has maintained his innocence and said she committed suicide. "Please tell them to hurry!" the 26-year-old can be heard saying in his 911 call, PEOPLE reported. 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. 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. Chavez still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Tera Chavez. 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. His profile states: Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. The donut shop has announced it has closed its South Valley and Northeast Heights locations. 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. LIVE IN SANDOVAL COUNTY LZ KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS.. COUNT ON KOAT-DOT-COM FOR. July 17, 2013 / 10:40 AM Current CACU detective, and Levi's wife, Heather Chavez, was married to another officer in 2007. Heavy reached out to the university for more information about his admittance but did not immediately hear back. 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 two had gotten engaged just two months after Tera Chavezs death and prosecutors asked questions about how quickly Levi Chavez had moved on. Levi was engaged to Heather Hindi two months after Tera died and married a few months later, according to PEOPLE. 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. 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. Levi also asserted that when Tera apparently killed herself, he was away, spending the weekend at one of his girlfriends apartment. YouTubeLevi Chavezs second wife Heather testifying during the trial. 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. Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast Albuquerque, Where does medical cannabis go from here? 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KOAT-TV. Detective Jones, who suspected that Levi Chavez had murdered his wife eighteen to twenty hours before he . M.E. / CBS News. Under the name Heading Home, this organization has connections in New Mexico, according to its website. 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. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. 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. The upcoming episode of Dateline Unforgettable will premiere at 8.00 pm ET on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. 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. 'This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out.'. Levi had spent the night at his current girlfriend's house. May 1, 2008. According to their website, Levi holds the title of Emergency Housing Director at their Westside Emergency Housing Center. Levi's Obituary On July 9, 2021, we lost our father, Levi Chavez, Levi passed away at the awesome age of 95. 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. A Bernalillo County deputy was reportedly not injured after their vehicle rolled in a two-vehicle, Trying to figure out where the medical cannabis program stands now is up for debate, Hospital CEO Kate Becker says 'we really want to hear from our community about what. 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" 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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NBCs Dateline: The Officers Wife examines the mind-boggling case of Tera Chavezs passing, who was found shot to death on October 21, 2007, on her bed, in the home that she shared with her Albuquerque Police Department officer husband, Levi Chavez. Where does medical cannabis go from here? 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. Japanese models have always been admired for their skills as well as their beauty. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Payton Gendron: Why Payton Gendron Got Arrested? THE TEXTS DIDN'T STOP THERE ANOTHER, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, FROM HEATHER TO LEVI SAYING HE WAS HER REASON TO EXIST. In all likelihood, Chavezs cellphone was turned off between 12:27 a.m. and 3:32 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2007, said Jody Citizen, a senior analyst for the Verizon Wireless companys legal department. 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. Levi was ultimately cleared of all charges. 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. [1] 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. 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. Her family said they knew there was trouble in the relationship and they had heard Levi Chavez was cheating on his wife, Alibi reported. Police officers, pathologists, the women Levi had relationships with, and Tera's family all testified throughout the 6-week-long court case. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. detailing just how quickly their relationship developed once tera chavez died. 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. The following article appeared on page C1 of the Friday, June 28, 2013, edition of the Albuquerque Journal. Keener pressed Heather Chavez on a statement she made during her deposition that her sexual relationship began in a car. Serna told Chavez. 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. rules the death self-inflicted The medical examiner ruled Tera's death a suicide. Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. Cinemaholic reports that 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. He told the operator she killed herself and that he hadnt said anything because He thought she needed time.. For Tera Chavez, Levi was her high school sweetheart, husband, and the entire world. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the one who called 911 and told them shed committed 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. Emergency Housing Director, Westside Emergency Housing Center. ", First published on July 17, 2013 / 10:40 AM. Im not guilty. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. End of November, end of November, December BUT IT WAS EVEN EARLIER THAN THAT-- JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER LEVI'S WIFE TERA DIED HINDI SENT HIM A TEXT READING "MMM DETECTIVE CHAVEZ WITH HOMICIDE." Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want to return to the state's largest police department. There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. I told you guys that from the beginning. Hindi, along with other women Levi Chavez had been involved with, testified during the trial about their affairs, Star Tribune reported. Levi has undergraduate degrees from UNM and CNM, as well as a law degree from the UNM School of Law. Isabel Wilkerson Husband: How Many Marriages She Did? I knew Id be acquitted. Play it now! Serna said his client was a victim of an overly aggressive former detective and "lies" from local media outlets, although none reported Serna ever requesting for a retraction or correction from any stories since 2007. View the profiles of people named Levi Chavez. However, nearly four years after Tera took her last breath, Levi was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with evidence. Powered by. 'I'm going to go to church, pray my Rosary and thank my Virgin Mary,' Chavez said as he was crowded by reporters. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. did you ever go to the address on ash place? According to reports, an Albuquerque, New Mexico police officer Levi Chaves was suspected of shooting and murdering his 26-year-old wife, Tera Chavez, with his issued service gun after investigators reportedly presumed that he attempted to cover up the crime as a suicide. Discover Lynn Murdaugh Goette Real Image & Current Location, Create Your Perfect Print With Blue And White Peel And Stick Wallpaper. Levi Chavezs current wife takes the stand, Current wife insists she never spoke with Tera Chavez, WEBVTT IN DAY 14 OF THE LEVI CHAVEZ TRIAL, HIS CURRENT WIFE, A-P-D OFFICER HEATHER CHAVEZ TAKES THE STAND. 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. "He's got several plans in the works," Serna said. For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. 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. I didnt speak with her.. 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. Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. Levi was engaged to Heather Hindi two months after Tera died and married a few months later, according to PEOPLE. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Chavez called 911 to report the alleged suicide around 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2007. Levi Chavez is a former Albuquerque, NM Police Officer who was charged with the 2007 death of his 26yearold wife, Tera Chavez. Levi was born on October 9, 1925 in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico to Jose and Hilaria Chavez. 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. This type of work affords great meaning to his life, as he and his team provide emergency housing to hundreds of our communitys most vulnerable individuals each night. Through witness testimony, the public learned that Chavez had been having a number of affairs while married to Tera Chavez. August 7, 2015. All Rights Reserved. He also told her she should have more information., I listened, Heather Chavez said about the interview. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. . Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. INVESTIGATION - Death of APD Officer's Wife Investigated INVESTIGATION - Death of APD Officer's Wife Investigated. 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. Throughout the trial, Levi Chavez steadfastly asserted his innocence and continues to do so. The other half of Heather Chavezs wish never came to pass. I wasnt worried.. Chavez was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge and told reporters outside the courtroom, Im not surprised at all. Shed never leave them of her own will. 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. "Justice was not served," Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. 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. Levi Chavez. He has full custody of his two children, according to Tera's parents Joseph and Theresa Cordova. Tera Chavez. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. They allege the former officer killed his wife to keep her from disclosing an alleged staged theft of a truck for insurance money. Do not sell or share my personal information. 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 . Published: 09:01 EST, 17 July 2013 | Updated: 09:01 EST, 17 July 2013. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. 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. 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. 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. INVESTIGATION - ABQjournal Metro: Death Now Called Suspicious INVESTIGATION - ABQjournal Metro: Death Now Called Suspicious. Chavez still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Tera Chavez. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT LEVI BOUGHT HER A DIAMOND RING. 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. 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. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. 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. But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. 2023 by Fashionuer. (AP) BERNALILLO, New Mexico - 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. 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. Yet, with no proof of the former, he couldnt be charged or arrested for fraud. 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. The OTHER side of the law: Former Albuquerque police officer Levi Chavez seen here in his mugshot after allegedly murdering his wife. 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. According to reports, he is now the husband of APD Detective Heather. 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. Strict, but in a good way, he said. Chavez alleged malicious prosecution, malicious abuse of process, defamation, and outrageous conduct, court documents show. 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. All Rights Reserved. Joseph Cordova, Teras father, told the outlet, The culture which we grew up in, his family was from law enforcement.