Ex-boyfriend of Pasadena woman who was kidnapped and killed arrested after fleeing to Mexico

Friday, October 7, 2022
Ex-boyfriend arrested in Mexico after woman found dead in Pasadena
Pasadena police said officers were able to negotiate directly with the suspect for a safe surrender in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

PASADENA, Texas (KTRK) -- The ex-boyfriend of a Pasadena woman found shot to death in her vehicle earlier this week is in custody in Pasadena. He was arrested in Mexico on Wednesday night, according to police.

Daniel Chacon, 30, is charged with kidnapping 38-year-old Maira Gutierrez at gunpoint, but is also considered the primary person of interest in her murder.

Chacon was arrested in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico -- just across the border from Laredo, Texas -- at about 11:30 p.m., Pasadena police said.

Court documents state witnesses saw him threatening Gutierrez with a gun at the Red Pines apartment complex in Pasadena Monday morning before forcing her to leave with him. She had gone there to visit their child. That evening, her body was found inside her silver SUV in southeast Houston.

The documents state Chacon showed up at his uncle's house on foot that day, where he apologized and said he F-ed up. This is the same uncle who called Pasadena police to report Chacon had also told him, "I think I am going to have to kill this girl," one day before she was murdered.

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Pasadena police officers assigned to the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, the U.S. Marshall Service, DEA, and Customs and Border Patrol agents collaborated on the wanted man's arrest.

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Family and friends plan to gather on Wednesday for a balloon release in memory of Maira Gutierrez. Loved ones said she cried for help, but the system failed her.

"Our officers and the federal agencies worked tirelessly through the night to negotiate directly with him for a safe surrender at the Laredo Port of Entry," Pasadena police said in a statement.

Pasadena officers were en route to Webb County to take custody of Chacon and transfer him back to the Houston area.

Records show Chacon's criminal history of violence against women in Harris County dates back to 2012. He was convicted twice in the past of assaulting his former common-law wife and once for violating a protective order.

READ MORE: Warrant issued for arrest of ex-boyfriend wanted in kidnapping, shooting death of Pasadena woman

Police are searching for Daniel Chacon in connection with the death of his ex-girlfriend Maira Gutierrez.

He shares three children with his former common-law wife. Her family said they are not speaking out publicly in order to protect them.

Chacon also shares a 5-month-old daughter with Gutierrez.

Pasadena police said Gutierrez and Chacon were in an off-and-on two-year relationship. Both had been involved in two previous domestic violence cases with the department.

On Sept. 1, Chacon called Pasadena police to report that Gutierrez was driving a vehicle with their child intoxicated. It was later determined she was not, according to Pasadena police Chief Josh Bruegger.

During an investigation into that case, Gutierrez made allegations of an assault involving a firearm that happened several days before. Officers conducted a search of the apartment but did not find a firearm. Bruegger added that Gutierrez did not want to pursue charges, but officers contacted the Harris County District Attorney's Office about potential charges, but they were declined at the time.

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Authorities believe Gutierrez moved out of the apartment she shared with Chacon between the first and second incident.

On Sept. 14, Gutierrez went to Chacon's apartment to visit their 5-month-old daughter. She reported that Chacon grabbed her by the hair and dragged her through the apartment. She added that he had assaulted her several times in the past.

Several hours after this incident, Gutierrez called Pasadena police. Officers arrived, took all her information, and tried to find the suspect but were unsuccessful. Officers contacted the district attorney's office again about charges, but they were declined and referred to family violence investigators.

"We took this very (seriously) from the beginning," Bruegger said. "We have to have victims' cooperation throughout the process and the decisions are made based on evidence."

So far, Chacon is only accused of aggravated kidnapping, but police said the charges against him could be upgraded as the investigation continues.

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