Blackhawk Drownings Could Be Homicide: Report

BLACKHAWK, CA — A forensic pathologist identifying the drownings of a mother and daughter in a backyard pool in Blackhawk said that he could not determine whether the pair died of an accident or a homicide, according to a report from the Bay Area News Group.

On February 12, Llaneth Chavez, 31, and her 4-year-old daughter, Malaya, were found dead in a backyard pool in Blackhawk. They were found dead shortly after Chavez drove Malaya from their home in Hollister to Blackhawk, so the young girl could meet her father for the first time, according to the Bay Area News Group report.

Dr. Ikechi Ogan, a forensic pathologist, eliminated “suicide” and “natural causes” as the cause of death, but left “homicide” and “accident” as possibilities, according to the Bay Area News Group report.

Malaya’s father, who has not been arrested or charged with either death, has told authorities that he took a shower, then went outside to see both his ex-wife and daughter floating motionless in the pool. He called 911.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s office has opened a suspicious death investigation, according to the Bay Area News Group.

An earlier report found that Chavez’s brother told authorities that both his sister and niece were afraid of water and did not know how to swim. Police also found evidence that Malaya’s father had deleted text messages, and may have lied about how many surveillance cameras he had inside his home.

The man was paying Chavez a large monthly stipend on the condition that she stay away from him, according to interviews with the Chavez family.

Anyone with pertinent information is asked to contact the sheriff’s Investigation Division at 925-313-2600. Email tips to tips@so.cccounty.us. Call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

See here for the full Bay Area News Group report.