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. Over the next several months, detectives began digging into Levi Chavezs story and the investigation eventually deemed her death a homicide. 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. KRQE News 13 has learned former Albuquerque Police officer Levi Chavez, who was fired after he was charged with the murder of his wife, could soon be working closely with the city as part of a non- On redirect examination, Assistant District Attorney Anne Keener asked only one question. Homeowner finds gruesome animal skeleton hidden behind cupboard for 30 years - so can you guess what it is? At first, because of how the crime scene looked, Teras death was ruled a suicide. He has full custody of his two children, according to Tera's parents Joseph and Theresa Cordova. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. 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. I told you guys that from the beginning. 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. Join Facebook to connect with Levi Chavez and others you may know. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Jeff Proctor / Journal Staff Writer 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. 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. Dated Nov. 14, 2007, it was from a fellow APD officer whose name, at the time, was Heather Hindi. 'He's got several plans in the works,' Serna said. Levi was engaged to Heather Hindi two months after Tera died and married a few months later, according to PEOPLE. Joseph Cordova, Teras father, told the outlet, The culture which we grew up in, his family was from law enforcement. Her mother said she wants the kids to know, Shed never leave them. However, as Dateline NBC explored on its episode The Officers Wife, investigators had questions about her death, especially as the gun used was Levi Chavezs department-issued firearm. A few years later, the family of four moved back to New Mexico, where Levi Chavez became a police officer with the Alburquerque Police Department and Tera Chavez started going to barber college. Also in court this morning, jurors heard a heavily redacted recording of the deposition Levi Chavez gave in the civil case. 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. During the gap, Keener asked, You have no idea where the cellphone of Mr. Chavez was?. 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! 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. Emergency Housing Director, Westside Emergency Housing Center. 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 . 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. action 7 . But, the disgraced former officer insisted that he did not kill his wife. 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. 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. Hindi, along with other women Levi Chavez had been involved with, testified during the trial about their affairs, Star Tribune reported. Later on, when Tera passed away, he claimed that the only reason he hadnt left his wife was because of their two children. After gaining back his freedom, Levi Chavez decided that he wanted to change his career but still be in the justice system. Some of the evidence in the civil case, like testimony from an insurance investigator about the fake theft allegations, was barred in murder trial. Although the case initially looked like a suicide, investigators dug up evidence and theories that proved otherwise. I knew Id be acquitted. THE WOMEN NEVER DID MEET. In October of 2007, Tera, a mother of two, allegedly shot and killed herself at the couple's home while their children were at a family member's house. 'To say I blamed myself is an understatement,' he said. 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. 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. 'This was a made up pile of lies from the beginning and it took the jury approximately 10 hours to find that out.'. 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. Heather Chavez also testified that she never met or spoke to Tera Chavez. 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. They also said hed had other affairs, including with some of the neighbors and other Albuquerque police officers. 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. 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. 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. Facebook 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. 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. For weeks, the murder trial captivated parts of central New Mexico as residents were fixated in barber shops, diners and grocery stores. Read More: Where Are Tera Chavezs Parents Now? 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. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KOAT-TV. 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. 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. "I don't feel like speaking for his future.". 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. Chavez told jurors that he found his wife dead from a gunshot wound and thought it was God's way of punishing him. or debate this issue live on our message boards. The case made national headlines in 2013 as more details came to light about the case and about Levi Chavez' personal life. Chavez found his estranged wife Tera dead of a gunshot wound in the living room of their home in 2007. 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. July 17, 2013 / 10:40 AM 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.' 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. "What did I tell you?" Serna told Chavez. Josh Mankiewicz reports Friday, November . Please enter valid email address to continue. INVESTIGATION - Death of APD Officer's Wife Investigated INVESTIGATION - Death of APD Officer's Wife Investigated. May 1, 2008. 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. webvtt in day 14 of the levi chavez trial, his current wife, a-p-d officer heather chavez takes the stand. [2] Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Through witness testimony, the public learned that Chavez had been having a number of affairs while married to Tera Chavez. Do not sell or share my personal information. For Tera Chavez, Levi was her high school sweetheart, husband, and the entire world. COVID-19 has impacted how we provide prioritized street outreach, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing services to people experiencing homelessness. It looks like Chavez is now working for a nonprofit that provides emergency and permanent housing to homeless individuals. Upon announcing the verdict, the family of Levi Chavez, including his current wife Albuquerque detective Heather Chavez, let out gasps and wept.