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A Houston man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the kidnapping and murder of his ex-girlfriend, a mother of four from Pasadena. The announcement was made by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.
“This administration has made domestic violence crimes a priority since the beginning precisely because of horrible cases like this,” Ogg stated. “This was a mother who was doing everything right to get away from a violent and controlling partner but still lost her life, and the only just result is that he spends every day of the rest of his life in prison.”
Daniel Chacon, 32, was found guilty of capital murder for killing Maira Gutierrez, aged 38, on October 3, 2022. The couple had ended their relationship about a month prior to the incident.
Chacon, who fathered Gutierrez’s youngest child, had temporary custody of the six-month-old. During one visit by Gutierrez to see her child at Chacon's apartment while he was at work, Chacon ordered her via phone call to leave abruptly.
Upon returning to her SUV parked at Chacon's apartment complex, witnesses reported seeing Chacon hiding with a handgun in the backseat. Witnesses also heard Gutierrez screaming for help as she tried to escape. She was forced into her vehicle at gunpoint by Chacon before he drove away.
An emergency ping led officers to find Gutierrez’s phone near the 610 Loop. Her SUV was later discovered at an industrial site in southeast Houston with Gutierrez deceased inside from a gunshot wound.
Chacon fled to Mexico but eventually surrendered himself. Following a six-day trial, he was convicted and received an automatic life sentence without parole.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Dupont emphasized that “this was always about Daniel Chacon trying to control Maira.” ADA Mary McFaden added that Chacon's history of violence escalated until it resulted in murder.
Chacon will not be eligible for parole.