Authorities searching for now-convicted murderer who went missing day before trial in his ex's death

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Authorities are trying to track down a man who went missing during his own murder trial.

According to the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Stephen Chaney was out on bond.

He appeared for jury selection, but cut off his ankle monitor a day before testimony was set to start.

The trial continued without him and he was convicted in the August 2020 murder of 21-year-old Claudia Leiva, who was found shot to death near a dumpster at a condominium complex on 102 West Rosamond St.

According to court records, Leiva filed a report with Houston police only a few days before her death, claiming a man was harassing her.

She stated it was Chaney, and he drove a grey Chevrolet Trailblazer.

Chaney was charged with Leiva's murder in October 2022.

Court records state Chaney was caught on video dragging her body out of his Trailblazer.

He wasn't arrested initially and went on the run.

During that time, he was charged in Louisiana for allegedly stalking another woman, his pregnant girlfriend, who claims Chaney lied about who he was and gave a fake name.

Court records allege that on one occasion in May 2022, he threatened to kill her once she gave birth.

Later that same month, Chaney was brought into custody for Leiva's murder.

According to records, Chaney posted his $100,000 bond on March 27, 2023.

Just two days later, Harris County became aware of the alleged out-of-state crimes and sent Chaney back to Louisiana.

According to the district attorney's office, he was processed and returned to Harris County, where he was allowed to remain on bond.

Chaney, now a convicted murderer, is nowhere to be found, and justice for the victims still hangs in the balance.

Pre-trial services found that the night he went home, he took off his ankle monitor. His attorneys then started calling him, but there was no answer.

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