A 36-year-old Pennsylvania man faces life in prison after being found guilty of strangling his ex-girlfriend, whose remains were later found in her Bear home in early 2021.
In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Justin Chaffier was also found guilty of felony stalking.
More:She was found dead in her Bear-area home. Now, her estranged boyfriend has been charged
According to the Delaware Department of Justice, police were called to 36-year-old Nicole Crawford’s home on Feb. 26, 2021, after her mother, Araina Crawford, contacted them.
Araina Crawford told police she’d gone to her daughter’s home after Nicole Crawford’s employer said she didn’t show up for work.
Officers were dispatched to the younger Crawford’s home, located in the community of Heather Woods, where she was declared dead shortly thereafter.
While responding to the call, the state Justice Department said, police became aware of 911 calls from the victim and neighbors regarding an individual walking around Crawford’s property and peering into the windows.
Ring camera video, phone records, DNA testing used
Using multiple Ring camera videos, phone records and DNA testing, investigators were able to link Chaffier to the crime.
“This man’s actions were truly monstrous and I am deeply grateful to our prosecutors and to New Castle County PD for bringing him to justice,” Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a statement. “Nothing can bring back the innocent life that was taken — but I hope that this conviction will bring the Crawford family some peace as they continue to heal.”
Chaffier, formerly of King of Prussia, is scheduled to be sentenced in June.
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Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.
