The trial of Daniel Chacon, a Pasadena man accused of kidnapping and killing his ex-girlfriend, Maira Gutierrez, begins this week. Gutierrez was tragically murdered in 2022, leaving behind four children. Chacon allegedly forced Gutierrez into her own SUV at gunpoint and shot her after she came to visit their daughter.
Gutierrez had reached out to police for help multiple times before the fatal incident, but charges were not pursued, leaving her family devastated. Her sister, Andrea Gutierrez, expressed the deep pain of waiting two years for justice, while Jimmy Puente, Gutierrez’s ex-husband and father of three of her children, mourned the loss, saying that the killer took a part of their hearts.
Chacon, who had a history of violence against women in Harris County dating back to 2012, was apprehended in Mexico. Domestic violence survivor and advocate Jamie Rae Wright highlighted the challenges survivors face in seeking help, noting the limited resources and support for victims compared to those causing harm.
According to the Houston Area Women’s Center, one in three women in the area will experience domestic violence, with many victims not calling the police or failing to get the support they need. Gutierrez’s case underscores the urgency of addressing domestic violence and ensuring better protections for victims.
The trial marks an important step toward justice, but it also brings renewed attention to the ongoing challenges of supporting victims of domestic violence.
