According to new court documents, a murder suspect allegedly killed his children’s pregnant mother and tried to commit himself last week at Hallandale Beach after writing farewell cards to his family.
According to police, 38-year-old Victor Chavez Sr. killed 41-year-old Delfina Perez Chilel, who was five months pregnant, on Tuesday.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Sgt. Nini McArdle of the Hallandale Beach Police described the incident as a “heartbreaking tragedy.”
“We ask the community to support and keep this family in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time,” McArdle stated.
“This horrific and isolated crime which occurred in the family-oriented community of Hallandale Beach was the result of domestic violence.”
Chilel was discovered dead in a pool of blood in the restroom, per the arrest report. Her face was bruised, and she had at least sixteen cuts and knife wounds all over her body. Her unborn child also passed away.
Family members informed police that Chavez has schizophrenia and stopped taking his medicine, according to an arrest warrant. The mother was terrified of him since he had previously threatened to harm both himself and Chilel.
Police were also informed by family members that Chavez had knives in the house, which his wife was afraid he might use as weapons.
More about the cards
According to the warrant, the father wrote cards to his family members saying goodbye, expressing his love for them, and acknowledging that he had endured a great deal of agony and suffering.
“The couple had a history of documented domestic violence which tragically escalated to this outcome,” said McArdle. Chavez was previously arrested on domestic violence allegations, according to court records, but each case was dropped because the victims chose not to prosecute charges or did not appear in court.
He was arrested three times for battery and aggravated battery between 2014 and 2017. Chilel’s family raised money to send her body to Guatemala by setting up a GoFundMe page.