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. Levi was born on October 9, 1925 in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico to Jose and Hilaria Chavez. Previous Post 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. Police officer Levi Chavez called 911 in 2007 to report that hed come home to find his wife deceased of a headshot wound. 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. Hindi, along with other women Levi Chavez had been involved with, testified during the trial about their affairs, Star Tribune reported. 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. By abqjournal. August 7, 2015. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. Levi Chavez. He and his defense attorney, David Serna, maintain that Tera shot herself with Levis Glock 9 mm. 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. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. THE DEFENSE REVEALED TERA CALLED AT LEAST EIGHT NUMBERS ON THAT LIST-- INCLUDING HEATHER IN SEPTEMBER 2007. The call did not go to voicemail. 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. 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Facebook gives people the power to. She knew every single secret about me no matter what. Chavez also had a younger brother, Aaron. 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. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. Josh Mankiewicz reports. Jones showed Heather Chavez crime scene photos from Teras death scene and told her people were worried about her. All Rights Reserved. She had a twin brother, named Josh, who said, She was my lifeline. Levi Chavez came back the following week and did exactly that. Heavy reached out to UNM for additional information about Chavezs admission status; however, we did not receive a response by press time. 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. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. 'This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out.'. 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. 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. She grew up in Los Lunas, a small village south of Alburquerque. 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. Serna said he doubted that Chavez would want to return to the state's largest police department. However, things began turning around for the mother of two when she began making plans to leave her husband and open a salon of her own, her family said. 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. Isabel Wilkerson Husband: How Many Marriages She Did? Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. Some of the affairs were with female APD officers.[4]. "There never was a case against Levi Chavez," Serna said. 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. Im innocent. Reportedly, he is married to APD Detective Heather, who was also present throughout the trial. In the 6-week-long court hearing, there were testimonies from police officers, pathologists, the women Levi had affairs with, as well as Teras family. The morning of 22 October 2007, he returned to the couple's home in Los Lunas, NM where he . Although the case initially looked like a suicide, investigators dug up evidence and theories that proved otherwise. 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, a 26-year-old officer with the Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department, at nine o'clock on the night of October 21, 2007, called 911 to report that his wife had committed suicide with his department-issued Glock 9 pistol. At first,. They married in July 2008, just a few days after Hindis divorce from another Albuquerque police officer was finalized. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. She was quiet. This individual treats the department as his own private brothel, and while he runs amok, nobody does anything or says anything. 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.. Please enter valid email address to continue. The sexual relationship? She was my secret-bank. 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. 'I'm very embarrassed about it,' Chavez said, then later added. For instance, detectives said that the night before the young mothers death, Levi Chavez was at his girlfriends house, according to PEOPLE. 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 . Levi's Obituary On July 9, 2021, we lost our father, Levi Chavez, Levi passed away at the awesome age of 95. 2023 by Fashionuer. 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. I did. 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. 'Guilt doesn't even begin to describe it.'. "He's got several plans in the works," 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. 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. ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER LAUREN ZAKALIK IS LIVE OUTSIDE COURT TO EXPLAIN. 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. State District Judge George P. Eichwald instructed the two to Quit arguing back and forth like kids.. 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. did you ever go to the address on ash place? The records show roughly the same pattern for Oct. 20: Levi Chavezs cellphone was on the West Side during the hours of the swing shift, then in the Heights shortly thereafter. Throughout the trial, Levi Chavez steadfastly asserted his innocence and continues to do so. 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. 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! 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. 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. Her twin brother described her as a strong woman and a loving mother. Instead, only the audio position of the recording was played in court. He. Play it now! In December 2013, it was made public that Chavez had relinquished his police officer certification. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. The other half of Heather Chavezs wish never came to pass. M.E. Facebook Strict, but in a good way, he said. 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. Published: 09:01 EST, 17 July 2013 | Updated: 09:01 EST, 17 July 2013. Her husband Levi Chavez, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, was the one who called 911 and told them shed committed suicide. 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. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. 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. Levi was engaged to Heather Hindi two months after Tera died and married a few months later, according to PEOPLE. 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. Serna on Thursday spent two and a half hours cross-examining Citizen. 'I took her for granted.'. 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. And did you have intimate relations at 11 ash place in 07? 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. 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. '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!' In July 2013, after a month-long trial, the verdict from the jury came in: not guilty. After gaining back his freedom, Levi Chavez decided that he wanted to change his career but still be in the justice system. At first, her death was believed to be a suicide, but an investigation turned up some information about Levi Chavezs life that made them look deeper into the case. (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. 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. He told the operator she killed herself and that he hadnt said anything because He thought she needed time.. Japanese models have always been admired for their skills as well as their beauty. 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 latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. John Fetterman Wife: Who Is Gisele Barreto Fetterman. 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. Tera Chavez. 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. Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. The Valencia County District Attorney stated Chavez violated the . Her mother said she wants the kids to know, Shed never leave them. 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. Detective Jones, who suspected that Levi Chavez had murdered his wife eighteen to twenty hours before he . 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. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. 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. Her Albuquerque police officer husband found her and called 911. 'He's got several plans in the works,' Serna said. Her husband Levi is suspected soon after because of suspicious circumstantial evidence, but there is no confession, eyewitness or 'smoking gun' forensic evidence. Where does medical cannabis go from here? 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. 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 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. Chavezs bio states that hes the emergency housing director at the Westside Emergency Housing Center. 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. 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. Dr. Chavez works in Albuquerque, NM and 1 other location and specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology. But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. 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. 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. Levi and Tera Chavez were high school sweethearts who married young and were raising two children together. In March 2020, Nob Hill mainstay Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Audrina Patridge Niece: What Happened To Sadie Raine Loza? 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. 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. A Comprehensive Review of Edubirdies Academic Writing Service. She said she knew Tera had died and Levi Chavez told her the couples two children were home that weekend. THEY WERE MARRIED JULY 2008, DAYS AFTER SHE FINALIZED HER DIVORCE WITH ANOTHER APD OFFICER. It appears that his wife, now known as Heather Chavez, is a detective with the Farmington Police Department. "What did I tell you?" Serna told Chavez. 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. 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. But the prosecutors had alleged that he . Chavez is a former Albuquerque Police Department officer, accused of killing his wife at their Los Lunas home in 2007. 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. 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. Levi Chavez maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and he maintains his innocence even today. 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. Serna told Chavez. pic.twitter.com/O5xOecrgtD, HeadingHomeNM (@HeadingHomeNM) June 1, 2020. 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. His profile states: Mr. Levi Chavez was born and raised in New Mexico and has a military and law enforcement background. 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. "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. I told you guys that from the beginning. According to their website, Levi holds the title of Emergency Housing Director at their Westside Emergency Housing Center. He told reporters that he wasnt surprised at all and that throughout the whole process, he knew he would be cleared. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer She testified this morning that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. "Please tell them to hurry!" the 26-year-old can be heard saying in his 911 call, PEOPLE reported. Theyve long been appreciated for their Sign up for our daily newsletter and get the best of fashionuer in your in-box. "Justice was not served," Joseph Cordova, the father of Tera Chavez, said after listening to the verdict with his wife. Im innocent. Heavy reached out to the university for more information about his admittance but did not immediately hear back. 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. 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. For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. 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. 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.