Levi Chavez alleged malicious prosecution, malicious abuse of process, defamation, and outrageous conduct, according to court documents. 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. 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. 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. Tera Chavez. 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 is a former police officer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who was charged with the 2007 death of his 26-year-old wife, Tera Chavez. All Rights Reserved. Chavez found his estranged wife Tera dead of a gunshot wound in the living room of their home in 2007. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Heather Chavezs statement in court today was that the couple only kissed in the car. In July 2013, Levi Chavez was found not guilty of first-degree murder. BUT HEATHER INSISTS THE WOMEN NEVER SPOKE. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT LEVI BOUGHT HER A DIAMOND RING. ", First published on July 17, 2013 / 10:40 AM. Your login session has expired. He finally went on trial for the allegations brought against him in 2013, a full two years after the charges were first brought. She testified this morning that she is currently assigned to the APD Crimes Against Children Unit. I told you guys that from the beginning. After the two reviewed numerous pages of Verizon records showing calls made to and from both Teras and Levis cellphones, as well as cellphone tower records, Serna declared that the records supported his clients story about where he had been the weekend of Teras death. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. The official synopsis of the episode says. 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 . 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. 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. 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. 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. YouTubeLevi Chavezs second wife Heather testifying during the trial. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Social Media Influencer Set on Fire & Killed by Ex-Husband, Family Says. LIVE IN SANDOVAL COUNTY LZ KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS.. COUNT ON KOAT-DOT-COM FOR. But the prosecutors had alleged that he . Powered by. 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. He told the operator she killed herself and that he hadnt said anything because He thought she needed time.. Her father, Joseph Cordova, said she loved flowers and drew some all over the house. One day, [the kids] are going to be of age, and theyre going to want to know, her father told Alibi. In 2018, the case was dismissed due to missing information and incorrect information that was cited as reasons to dismiss the case. when did the romantic relationship start? Levi Chavez testified during his trial that he had a series of mistresses but reiterated that he did not kill his wife. Levi was born on October 9, 1925 in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico to Jose and Hilaria Chavez. 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. Levi Chavez is the Husband of Tera, and he was a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. After gaining back his freedom, Levi Chavez decided that he wanted to change his career but still be in the justice system. The Harwood Museum of Art's exhibition 'Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy' explores this history through archival photographs and contemporary art. 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. . Facebook 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. Bernalillo County deputy involved in rollover crash in Northeast Albuquerque, Where does medical cannabis go from here? Investigators eventually deemed her death to be suspicious and Levi Chavez became the primary suspect, especially after he remarried less than seven months following his first wifes death. Chavez alleged malicious prosecution, malicious abuse of process, defamation, and outrageous conduct, court documents show. 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. 'I took her for granted.'. 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. 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. Facebook gives people the power to. 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. Levi started working for Heading Home in 2015. The OTHER side of the law: Former Albuquerque police officer Levi Chavez seen here in his mugshot after allegedly murdering his wife. 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. In December 2013, it was made public that Chavez had relinquished his police officer certification. Theyve long been appreciated for their Sign up for our daily newsletter and get the best of fashionuer in your in-box. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. 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. According to the prosecution, she was on the verge of filing a complaint against him for fraudulent activity. Mmmm detective Chavez with homicide, the text read. 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.. "Please tell them to hurry!" the 26-year-old can be heard saying in his 911 call, PEOPLE reported. 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. Levi Chavez. His new wife, Heather Hindi, who was one of his fellow officers, also testified on the stand. 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. The donut shop has announced it has closed its South Valley and Northeast Heights locations. He pulled up the call history for the officer on his patrol computer and found it was a car assigned to Levi . 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. The two had gotten engaged just two months after Tera Chavezs death and prosecutors asked questions about how quickly Levi Chavez had moved on. 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. 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. He has full custody of his two children, according to Tera's parents Joseph and Theresa Cordova. 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 . On the night of Oct. 21, 2007, the lives of one couple from Los Lunas, New Mexico were changed forever. 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 didnt leave them., When she was just 15 years old, Tera met Levi Chavez and became pregnant with his child, Alibi reported. THE DEFENSE REVEALED TERA CALLED AT LEAST EIGHT NUMBERS ON THAT LIST-- INCLUDING HEATHER IN SEPTEMBER 2007. However, the case took a shocking turn after some disturbing facts came to the surface. Dr. Former APD officer Levi Chavez is accused of killing his wife Tera. 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. Check arrest records, resumes and CV, photos and videos, news, social media profiles, publications, places of employment, work history and public records . "This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out. or debate this issue live on our message boards. Heavy reached out to the university for more information about his admittance but did not immediately hear back. Episode Website More Episodes 2019 NBC News Top Podcasts In True Crime See All There is no confirmation on whether she is still a part of the Albuquerque Police Department. . 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". Chavez still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Tera Chavez. According to her testimony, Heather Chavez was in Chicago with her parents the weekend Tera died. 2023 by Fashionuer. Their additional three locations remain open. Jones was one of the first officers on the scene and a lead detective on the case. 'I don't feel like speaking for his future.'. He is suing the detective who first launched the investigation into the 2007 death of Levi's wife, Tera Chavez. Some of the affairs were with female APD officers.[4]. 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. Lee's family are 'suffering' after his shock gunshot suicide at his Manhattan office, You've been storing potatoes wrong this whole time, say experts as they dispel spud cancer fears, Aspiring socialite is excommunicated from Manhattan high society 'after selling fake Hermes Birkin purses and sending friend to buy one of the coveted bags at French store that didn't exist', Amanda Knox plays the victim: Cleared murder suspect posts bizarre Twitter thread pondering what would have happened if she'd been killed in Italy not Meredith Kercher, How brand Brooklyn Beckham has amassed $6million in just one year as David and Victoria Beckham's eldest son becomes one of the most sought-after young stars in the world, California Drownin': Dry riverbed featured in Grease and Terminator 2 is FLOODED as historic storm batters Golden State with rain, snow and freezing temperatures, Has fashion quietly dumped the plus-sized pioneers? 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. The entire world around Levi Chavez came trembling down when one fine October morning in 2007, he returned to his New Mexico home to find his wife Tera Chavez dead after taking a bullet to the mouth. The former officer, clenching a Rosary, immediately embraced his attorney, David Serna. 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 . 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. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. 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. May 1, 2008. Levi Chavez came back the following week and did exactly that. Levi was ultimately cleared of all charges. [1] [2] Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. 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. THEY WERE MARRIED JULY 2008, DAYS AFTER SHE FINALIZED HER DIVORCE WITH ANOTHER APD OFFICER. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. They also werent allowed to watch video of that deposition. In August 2013, Chavez was acquitted of the murder charges. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. During the gap, Keener asked, You have no idea where the cellphone of Mr. Chavez was?. 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. Current CACU detective, and Levi's wife, Heather Chavez, was married to another officer in 2007. action 7 . Her relationship with Chavez started when he was still married to Marisabel. As week three of the Levi Chavez murder trial wound down prosecutors started playing up another possible motive for him to kill his wife Tera. 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. 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. I didnt do anything wrong, KOAT reported. Levi was initially charged with murdering his wife with his police issued Glock and making it appear as a suicide. Chavez of course denies the incident. Levi had spent the night at his current girlfriend's house. 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. In 2000, they tied the knot and moved to Virginia, where Levi was working as a Coast Guard. That treatment included sexual relationships with four different women and constant breakups that began with way back when the couple were high school students. 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. Three weeks after Teras death, Levi Chavez was having sex with another woman in the home near Los Lunas from which authorities had removed Tera Chavezs body, according to the mistresss testimony. As mentioned, Levi Chavez was charged with her murder in April 2011, but it took another two years for the case to go to court due to a series of motion hearings, civil trials and a change of venue for the trial, KOAT reported.