Family of Glendale man fatally stabbed in 2019 is demanding justice

For those who knew him, Carlos Chavez of Glendale was always there to help those who needed him, said his older brother, Nick Chavez.

Remembered for his sense of humor, his generosity and the love he had for his family, Carlos was known for being “full of life,” never hesitating to “give the shirt off his back” to his loved ones.

“He was a good brother and a good person,” Nick said. “My brother loved everyone. He had a big heart.”

Now Carlos’ family must look for answers after his murder five years ago.

On December 8, 2019, around 11:30 p.m., Glendale police responded to a 911 call of a stabbing at an apartment complex near 58th Avenue and Camelback Road. When officers arrived on scene, they found 36-year-old Carlos with multiple stab wounds.

After Carlos received emergency medical treatment, he was rushed to the hospital, where doctors told Carlos’ family he was “probably not going to make it” after several attempts at life-saving procedures, according to Nick.

“I grabbed Carlos’ hand and cried,” Nick said as he recounted the night in the hospital praying for his brother’s recovery. “My little brother was fighting for his life.”

Carlos succumbed to his injuries a few days later.

According to authorities, on the night of the incident, Carlos was walking back home to his apartment complex when a car, later identified as an older model white four-door Toyota Corolla, pulled up next to him. An unknown suspect emerged from the passenger side of the vehicle and violently attacked Carlos, fatally stabbing him before fleeing the scene.

With no new leads and the Chavez family still grieving their loss, Carlos’ family is now turning to the community for help in unraveling the circumstances behind Carlos’ untimely death.

“It’s not okay to kill someone and just walk around freely without any consequences,” Nick said at a news conference. “Help us uncover what happened to my brother that night.”

On the night Carlos was killed, Nick recalled the time he spent with his brother earlier that day, after being invited by Carlos to a tailgate party at State Farm Stadium following a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers that Sunday afternoon .

“When we left, we all said ‘goodbye’ and ‘I love you,’” Nick said. “Who could have known that later that night our lives would be changed forever?”

Carlos, who was living with his cousin Eric Cruz at the time of the incident, was walking back home from a Circle K at 59th Avenue and Camelback Road later that evening when he was killed by the unknown assailant inside the apartment complex, according to Nick. .

“That night really devastated me. It still haunts me to this day,” Cruz said. “It affected me in ways I still can’t understand. I haven’t been the same since.”

Nick went on to explain that he believes the attack was random, saying his brother “has never had a problem with anyone.”

“He was taken from this world far too soon,” Nick said. ‘He will be truly missed. He didn’t deserve to go this way.’

After their mother’s death, six months before Carlos’ death, the Chavez family turned to prayer and spiritual direction, relying on their faith to help heal their grief, Nick said.

“I remember saying this is either going to break us or bring us closer to God,” Nick said. “I am learning to walk with the Lord and letting Him heal my broken heart.”

“We miss him very much,” added Andy Chavez, Carlos and Nick’s older brother. “It’s really taken a toll on our family. Someone out there knows what happened to my brother.”

Cruz, who was nearby the night of the 2019 incident, recalls his cousin Carlos, whom he considered more of a brother, Cruz said.

“My cousin was a great man,” Cruz said. He was just one of those unique people who come into your life and you can never replace.”

The Chavez family continues to seek justice for Carlos and is advocating that any new information leading to Carlos’ cause of death be reported through Silent Witness.

“They don’t know what they took from us,” Cruz said. “We deserve justice. We cannot rest at night until we know what really happened.”

“It won’t bring him back, but to have closure… we really want that,” Nick added. ‘We really want to know who did this to my brother. Help us solve this case and bring justice to my family.”

Detectives continue to investigate the incident.

A $5,000 reward has been offered for any information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Silent Witness at 480-948-6377. Tips can also be received anonymously on the program’s website.

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