Authorities are currently looking for a convicted killer after he managed to remove his ankle monitor and fled during his trial in Texas, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Chaney, 24, violated his bond agreement by leaving his house late on Oct. 8. He also took off his ankle monitor and threw it onto a freeway around 10 p.m. Despite attempts by Chaney’s attorneys and brother to contact him several times, they were unable to reach him, as stated in court documents.
According to court documents, he failed to appear in court as ordered on Oct. 9. Court documents state that Chaney allegedly used a firearm to criminal case Claudia Leiva on Aug. 12, 2020.
The trial proceeded in his absence, and on October 16, according to court records, the jury pronounced Chaney guilty of murder.
Chaney had to adhere to strict conditions while he was on bond. These conditions included staying at home at all times and wearing a GPS device. Court documents reveal that Chaney’s attorney stated that he had followed all the conditions of his bond until he went missing.
According to the district attorney’s office, Chaney still has an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Records indicate that Chaney was booked on May 25, 2022, and subsequently released on bond on April 1, 2023.
According to court documents, the mother of the victim, who reported her missing, informed the police that Leiva had been involved in prostitution and had lodged a complaint about a man who was harassing her.
A week before her tragic death, Leiva had complained about a man named Stephen Chaney, whom she claimed had been persistently harassing her. In court documents, it was revealed that she had even furnished the police with detailed information about the man, including his vehicle description and license plate number.
Chaney was the owner of the truck that matched Leiva’s description and was visible in surveillance footage, according to court documents. The registered owner of the truck confirmed that he had sold it to Chaney several months before the murder.
According to court documents, investigators were able to establish a stronger connection between Chaney and the vehicle by examining various photos of him with the truck that were discovered on the victim’s cellphone. These photos included clear images of stickers on the rear of the vehicle.
According to court documents, text messages exchanged between Chaney and Leiva revealed her distress over him physically assaulting her during an argument. She frequently expressed her concern that he would harm or kill her. Despite her decision to end their relationship, he persisted in messaging her and seemed unwilling to accept the breakup.