Pasadena woman's ex now charged with murder in deadly kidnapping case
Daniel Chacon try to escape to Mexico shortly after Maira Gutierrez was seen being kidnapped on Monday.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A man accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, who was later found dead, has now been charged with capital murder.
Earlier Friday, Daniel Chacon was given a $1 million bond after he was found in Mexico and brought back to Pasadena. The bond amount is tied to an aggravated kidnapping charge.
It's not immediately known if the bond amount will change or if no bond will be given.
There was a three-day manhunt to get Chacon off the streets.
WATCH: Man accused in ex's death said he would 'have to kill' her: Documents
Chacon did not appear Friday morning in probable cause court as he was expected to, but a judge still read out the conditions of his bail and we learned new information.
On Monday, witnesses saw Chacon force his ex-girlfriend, 38-year-old Maira Gutierrez, at gunpoint into her own SUV outside of his apartment in Pasadena, court documents say. They also say Gutierrez went to the apartment to visit their 5-month-old daughter.
Later that day, the mother of four was found shot to death inside her SUV in southeast Houston.
The day before the incident, the judge said the defendant had told his uncle, "I think I'm going to have to kill this girl." The defendant's uncle also told police that Chacon had gone by his house later and said he had messed up, asked for a new shirt, asked to use a phone, and left.
SEE RELATED STORY: Ex-boyfriend of Pasadena woman who was kidnapped and killed arrested after fleeing to Mexico
The judge ordered that if Chacon posts his bail, he must not have contact with the victim's family. Chacon must also surrender his passport and stay within Harris County. He will have to wear an ankle monitor and be under 24-hour house arrest.
Chacon has five misdemeanor charges filed in Harris County from 2017 to 2019, including convictions for violent offenses, according to documents read out by the judge.
Earlier this week, as a warrant was out for his arrest, Chacon headed to Mexico. He was arrested at the Laredo Port of Entry after surrendering to federal agents on Wednesday night.
SEE ALSO: Ex-boyfriend kidnaps woman at gunpoint, her body later found in abandoned vehicle, Pasadena PD says
Chacon was brought back to Pasadena on Thursday evening. It's a relief for Gutierrez's family. We spoke to her ex-husband earlier this week.
"We need justice. We need him to turn himself in. Stop being a coward. Do his part and come in. If he had the courage to do that, he needs to be held responsible," Jimmy Puente said.
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.
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.
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.
As of now, Chacon is charged with aggravated kidnapping, but he is the primary person of interest in her murder, so we are watching for more charges.
For more news updates, follow Courtney Carpenter on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
