Loved ones are devastated after a Southern California mother was found stabbed to death in her apartment.
On March 21, Fontana police responded to a residence at the Orchards Apartment complex in Fontana at around 3 a.m.
Rachelle Lopez, a 38-year-old mother of four children, was found fatally stabbed and lying on the floor in a bedroom. Her roommate had discovered the grisly scene and called the police.
Investigators believe the murder suspect was reportedly a maintenance worker at the complex who Lopez had been dating, identified as Luis Chavira, 43.
Lopez worked as a property manager at the complex and she and Chavira were reportedly involved in an on-again, off-again relationship.
“From what I understand, he went into her apartment and he killed her with a hatchet,” said a family member who did not wish to be identified. “It’s devastating, it’s scary and it’s sick.”
Police also confirmed that Chavira had previously served 16 years in prison for armed robbery. He was located and arrested in Moreno Valley later that day.
Destiny Locke, the victim’s sister, said the last time she visited Lopez, she saw the suspect walk into the office.
“He just stopped and looked at her and gave us a dirty look,” Locke recalled.
Lopez’s family said they never met Chavira and didn’t know much about him. They also have questions about how he was hired with his criminal record.
“He was a maintenance man and he obviously had a master key to everybody’s apartment,” they said.
Nick, a man who works security nearby, said Lopez was one of the first residents who greeted him and she was always kind.
“She didn’t deserve what happened on that evening,” he told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “I wish there would have been somebody that could’ve helped prevent it.”
Her family described Lopez as a loving mother who was always smiling. She leaves behind four young children ranging in age from 6-12 years old.
“She took care of everybody and had a very big heart,” said the family member.
A memorial was set up outside her apartment complex, honoring the young mother.
“We just want justice for Rachelle and her kids,” her family said. “They lost their mother. She didn’t deserve to die like that. I don’t understand how someone could do something that gruesome.”
A spokesperson for the Orchards Apartment complex released a statement saying:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Rachelle and our thoughts and prayers are with her family. We take the safety and well-being of our residents seriously and all employees undergo thorough background checks.”
A GoFundMe to help Lopez’s family with funeral expenses can be found here.
During an arraignment hearing on Wednesday, Chavira pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. No further details were released as the case remains under investigation.