The family of a 27-year-old California mother are furious after her body was found dead after being run over by a lawn mower while lying in the weeds at a local park.
Christine Chavez was lying at Beard Brook Park in Modesto on July 8 when she was run over by an employee mowing the grass.
The grasscutter, who drove a John Deere tractor with a towed lawnmower, was only able to discover Chavez’s body after mowing it.
Her father, Christopher Chavez, said when he went to the scene of her death, parts of her body were still there.
“There was a lot of pieces of[her remains]there and I called the police,” Chavez said. “I was there and I still have bits of bone, like parts of her skull and some teeth.’ It’s awful.’
Christine Chavez was lying at Beard Brook Park in Modesto on July 8 when she was run over by an employee mowing the grass
Chavez is homeless and has a 9-year-old daughter that her family has now committed to looking after.
The E&J Gallo winery, which bought the park just a day before Chávez’s assassination, released a statement on Friday:
“Gallo acquired the Beard Brook Park property in Modesto on Friday, July 7, 2023. On Saturday, July 8, 2023, a landscape contractor was hired to carry out weed control and fire protection work.”
“Around 12:00 p.m., there was an accident involving the contractor’s tractor and an unseen person lying in a high area overgrown with weeds. The contractor immediately contacted Modesto Police and upon arrival MPD officers stated that the person was deceased.
“Gallo offers his sincere condolences to the family of the victim,” the statement continued.
Grover Landscaping Services, which mows the lawn at the park, also issued a statement Friday.
“In a dry, overgrown area, our worker discovered the body of a woman who had been struck by the towed mower and subsequently contacted Modesto Police,” the statement said.
Both Gallo and Grover have pledged to cooperate in the investigation into Chávez’s death.
Chavez is homeless and has a 9-year-old daughter that her family has now committed to looking after
The grasscutter, who drove a John Deere tractor with a towed lawnmower, was only able to discover Chavez’s body after mowing it
Her father, Christopher Chavez, said when he went to the scene of her death, parts of her body were still there
Chávez’s brother-in-law, Jose Zermeño, said he had experience with the type of machines that ended up killing his sister-in-law and believed negligence may have been involved.
“I work with machines. I know when you’re working with machines you pay attention to what’s in front of you, especially when you’re dragging something behind you,” Zermeño told Fox 40. “And that he doesn’t see that there’s something in between.” In front of him has he didn’t do his job.’
Chavez’s family says they will do everything they can to bring justice to their beloved daughter.
“I am saddened by what happened to my daughter and we want justice for the way she died,” said Christine’s mother, Josefina Chavez.
At a city council meeting, Dez Martinez, a member of the homeless organization We Are Not Invisible, was critical of the city and said his heart broke for Chavez’s father.
“I am saddened by what happened to my daughter and we want justice for the way she died,” said Christine’s mother, Josefina Chavez
Chavez’s family says they will do everything they can to bring justice to their beloved daughter
Both the Modesto Police Department and Mayor Sue Zwahlen spoke at the same meeting and apologized for Chavez’s death but called it an accident
“He doesn’t even get to see his daughter,” he said. “You may kiss your children goodnight.” When you’ve buried them, you can see them. He does not. Thank you very much.’
Martinez criticized the treatment of the homeless in Modesto, which went beyond what happened to Chávez.
“What happened to the construction of affordable housing, tiny dwelling villages, and safe camps to get people off the streets from being raped, killed, and run over while napping in the park?”
Both the Modesto Police Department and Mayor Sue Zwahlen spoke at the same meeting and apologized for Chavez’s death but called it an accident.
The family has started a gofundme to raise money for Chavez’s daughter and seek justice for Christine.