Family found 'pieces' of mum run over by lawnmower after police visited scene
A heartbroken family searching for answers after a 27-year-old unhoused woman was killed when she was run over by a lawnmower were alarmed to find pieces of her remains at the scene - after police had been.
Christine Chavez was run over by a landscaper operating a John Deere tractor on July 8 but he devastated family said they found pieces of her body even after police visited the scene to supposedly investigate the death.
The mum of a nine-year-old girl was lying in an overgrown area of a property in Modesto, California when the tragic incident occurred.
The man operating the lawnmower didn't realise what had happened until he saw Christine's body, his employer Grover Landscape Services Inc. insists, but Christine's family aren't convinced.
Christine's father, Cristobal Chavez, claims he has used similar lawnmowers in the past and that Police had closed the case after ruling the death an accident.
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Christine Chavez was lying down in the park napping when she was run over (Fox News)
Christine's jeans and a shoe at the scene (Fox News)“Police told us that it was an accident and that’s all,” he told USA TODAY this week. “They don’t care, they don’t want to investigate.”
Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear said the case remained open.
The property is owned by E & J Gallo Wine Co, who said Christine "was not visible and laying in a tall, weeded area."
The company added it is "fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities on this situation" and that it "expresses its sincere condolences to the family of the victim."
Cristobal Chavez says he has used similar lawnmowers in the past (Fox News)They said when the landscaper noticed the body, he immediately called 911.
Chrsitine's family remain confused and feel they don't have an answer to key questions including why their family member wouldn't have just gotten out of the way, or how the gardener didn't notice what happened.
“There's no answer for what really happened to my sister,” said Chavez’s brother, Randy Chavez. “They say it was a terrible accident, but how can somebody be laying down and not hear a tractor?”
Grover Landscape Services said: "Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we cannot speculate as to the cause of or circumstances surrounding her death.
The ground at the scene where Christine died (Fox News)"We are deeply saddened by these events. Our hearts and sympathies go out to her friends and family.
Christine was homeless at the time of her death due to what her family said were difficulties with her mental health. She had the option of staying in Modesto with her father, or her mum in Yuma, Arizona.
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Founder and CEO of the nonprofit We Are Not Invisible, Dez Martinez, claims the case is being treated differently because Christine was not living at home.
Her family is speaking out (Fox News)Ms Martinez said Christine chose to stay outside because it is where she felt "free."
"We were at that place for five days and every day somebody found something else," she said. "The police have been there twice. "We were shocked that you would even be able to leave that blood there, the body parts there, to have the family, the brothers and sisters, the mom and dad, pick these pieces up is so traumatic."
The family said it is planning on further demonstrations and is seeking a second autopsy.
"I think they did not expect that unhoused individuals have families, too."
The Mirror has approached the Modesto Police Department for comment.
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