Thursday, October 15, 2009

Seneca, SC: Dead Seneca woman stabbed, strangled

By Ray Chandler
Originally published 09:19 a.m., October 15, 2009
Updated 12:38 p.m., October 15, 2009

SENECA — Seneca police have charged a 23-year-old Seneca man with murder of his wife, who was both strangled and stabbed.

David Josue Chavez, of 501 South Depot Street, was taken into custody shortly after Seneca police and emergency medical responders arrived at his residence about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after a 911 call of a stabbing victim.

Seneca Police Chief John Covington said officers found 21-year-old Wendoli Barrera Chavez, wife of the suspect, dead in a bedroom.

The victim had one stab wound to the abdomen, Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis said, but evidence found at the scene led to suspicions she had been strangled.

An autopsy today at the AnMed Health Center morgue determined the actual cause of death was asphyxia by manual strangulation, Addis said.

According to responders at the scene, other family members, including two children, were present in the house when they arrived. The house was described as almost completely unfurnished, with garbage and feces lying about on the floors.

David Chavez is being held in the Oconee County detention center.

Chief Covington said the exact motive of the homicide is still under investigation.

The death is Seneca's fourth homicide of the year.

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