October 24, 2005

Pregnant mom, daughters killed in brutal homicide

Evergreen community mourns loss

By Jeffrey Lo and Mai Hong
Times Intern

Crowded around Pavan Drive, mourners have been paying their respects to the late Leticia Chavez and her daughters, 6-year-old Adrina and 3-year-old Analisa.

The Evergreen community shows its support by bringing flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and candles to the home where Leticia Chavez lived with her two daughters and boyfriend. Photos by Mai Hong.

The murders, committed by boyfriend and father Rodrigo Ortiz Paniagua, are uncharacteristic of the quiet and safe streets of Evergreen. Paniagua had a history of domestic violence.

“There are a lot of people going out to visit the house. There are flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals,” said neighbor and Evergreen Valley High School teacher Hernan Diaz.

The news comes as a shock to the Evergreen community, who has rallied behind the Chavez family. The family was well known around the neighborhood despite their brief six months at the address. “I never met the family, but I always saw them playing outside,” Diaz said of the little girls. “They were always riding up and down on their bikes.”

Neighbor Daren Duong, 31, has a 1-year-old child and remembers Analisa visiting often. He described her as talkative.

“Whenever they were outside playing they would always say, ‘Hi.’ They would play with my cousin when she visited. They became good friends,” neighbor and Evergreen Valley High School senior Ramil Lagula said of the Analisa’s and Adrina’s friendship with his cousin. “I don’t even think she knows that they are gone.”

A memorial honors the fallen victims of domestic violence. Photo by Mai Hong.

Adrina left a big impression on her teachers and peers during her short time at Millbrook Elementary School. “We suffered a great loss. We thought she was an incredible little girl,” said Principal Hedwig Rucker. “We poured out our hearts and we’re doing the best we can.”

On the morning of the homicide, each teacher spent some time explaining the situation to the children. They tried their hardest to keep the story age appropriate for the young students. Psychologists also came onsite for two days to talk to the students and teachers. “Our students and staff are so resilient,” Rucker stated, “I’m so proud of them; they’re outstanding.”

The school is planning on honoring Adrina and the rest of her family in the upcoming month, as family members arrive in the area.

Triple homicide
On Oct. 10 at 6:23 a.m., a fire broke out at 3105 Pavan Drive. According to fire Capt. Alberto Olmos, the fire was under control by 6:45 a.m. Once the fire was under control, the police quickly ordered Paniagua to lie down on the ground.

Bystanders recall a knife laying 5 feet from where Paniagua was lying. After being questioned on Monday, Pangiagua was arrested.

No one in the neighborhood suspected any conflict resided within the household. “He seemed like an affectionate dad,” Diaz said. “I was shocked. I never would’ve guessed it was him.”

Rodrigo Paniagua confessed to murdering his pregnant girlfriend and two daughters.

“Their dad was always watching after our neighborhood making sure no bad things happened,” Lagula said. “It didn’t seem like there was anything wrong. When my family saw the fire, we thought they just left the stove or oven on.”

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Chavez and her daughters had stayed with her uncle Mark Pardo in the past when she had been threatened by Paniagua. “I think about them every minute of the day,” said Pardo. “I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about something I could have did for them to prevent this.”

Pardo described the former marine as a quiet man. He was surprised to learn of Panigua’s violent nature.

Because the case deals with multiple victims, Paniagua could be sentenced to death. He was charged with not only the murder of his girlfriend and two daughters, but also the death of Chavez’s 5-month-old fetus.

Paniagua, who has reportedly confessed to the crimes in an interview with investigators, is due to enter a plea bargain on Nov. 3. Based on a mental health assessment, Paniagua has been placed on a suicide watch at the Santa Clara County Jail, according to jail spokesman Mark Cursi.

Family Members reach out
Many of the Chavez family’s friends and extended family members have posted their condolences on a San Jose Mercury News blog.

Veronica Bravo from Los Banos said, “Tricia (Leticia) and the girls played a big part in my granddaughter’s life. (She) was not only her cousin, but her ‘BEST FRIEND.’ Not only were these precious girls taken from us, but the damage goes beyond them.”

Azalea and Athalie Garcia from San Jose sent, “Adrina, me and my little sister Athalia will miss playing, singing and dancing with you and your little sister Analisa.”

“With all my love and sorrow, I will miss each and every one of you. You’re my cousins by blood and by spirit who are a part of my heart and always will be,” sent Alicia and Justin Morales from San Jose. “There won’t be a day that I won’t miss you, a day I won’t think of you, a day that I won’t love you. I will always think of you.”

Leticia’s little sister Alicia Chavez thanked anyone and everyone from the bottom of her heart. “In times like this, it’s a blessing to have so many of you, family and friends and even the people that we’ve not had the (good) fortune of meeting, come out and say such wonderful comments about Tisha and the babies,” she wrote.

Community Support

A fund has been established for those who would like to help the family pay for funeral costs.
Donations can be sent to:

Chavez Family Memorial Fund
at Washington Mutual Bank
Blossom Hill Financial Center
405 Blossom Hill Road
San Jose, Calif. 95128
Account Number 188-117316-5