Woman Charged With Murder, Held On $1 Million Bond: State Police

NORWALK, CT — Connecticut State Police announced Thursday a woman was arrested this week on murder charges connected to the death of her ex-boyfriend in Norwalk back in February.

According to a news release provided by state police, state troopers in Bridgeport were notified on Feb. 4 around 3 a.m. of a crash on Route 7 northbound near Exit 2 in Norwalk.

When troopers arrived, they found a red 2016 Nissan Rogue on the right shoulder of the road north of Exit 2 with both of its front windows blown out and visible damage to its front end and passenger side.

The driver and sole occupant of the car, John Gavilanes, 35, was found unresponsive and later pronounced deceased at the scene, state police said.

Troopers initially believed Gavilanes had succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash, but after further investigation, detectives found approximately 13 fired 9mm cartridge casings between the Exit 1 entrance ramp and the Exit 2 off ramp, state police said.

Upon further examination, investigators discovered the Nissan had bullet holes in it and Gavilanes had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, according to state police. Based on this new information, the Western District Major Crime Squad took over the investigation.

During their extensive investigation, detectives learned of a long-standing feud between Gavilanes and another man in the Norwalk area. They also learned Gavilanes had previously been romantically involved with a woman identified as Liliana Mejia, 24, who was currently involved with the man Gavilanes had been feuding with, according to state police.

Detectives were also able to obtain footage of the entrance to Route 7 from West Avenue that depicted Gavilanes' car entering Route 7 northbound with a gray Nissan Pathfinder traveling behind him.

Detectives also reviewed surveillance footage obtained from a parking lot on Haviland Street and noticed a Pathfinder with characteristics matching the vehicle seen traveling behind Gavilanes car, which arrived in the parking lot around 3 a.m.

According to state police, the Pathfinder appeared to come to an abrupt stop and back out of the parking area onto Haviland Street, then turn off its headlights as Gavilanes was seen approaching and entering his Nissan Rogue. The Pathfinder then followed Gavilanes' car out of the parking lot.

Norwalk police told detectives the man known to be romantically involved with Mejia had recently been seen driving a gray Nissan Pathfinder, according to state police.

During a forensic examination of Gavilanes' phone, detectives found an image of a gray Nissan Pathfinder consistent in appearance with the vehicle in the surveillance footage. The image showed the Pathfinder's registration plate, which indicated the male suspect's sister was its registered owner, according to state police.

Detectives found the same gray Nissan Pathfinder at a Nissan dealership, located on Derby Avenue in West Haven, on the morning of Feb. 10. They spoke with dealership employees and learned the lease agreement for the vehicle had been terminated Feb. 7, three days after Gavilanes' death, state police said.

On Feb. 20, investigators interviewed a witness familiar with the transaction involving the Pathfinder, who said the male suspect had initiated the trade-in of the vehicle, according to state police.

Also during their investigation, detectives noticed a post on a social media account associated with Mejia dated Feb. 8 that suggested she was traveling out of state. Additional communication between Mejia and others indicated she and the male suspect had traveled together out of state, according to state police.

After reviewing surveillance footage from multiple locations in South Norwalk and examining relevant cell tower location data, cell phone call records, records from social media accounts and physical evidence, detectives determined Mejia and the male suspect had intentionally caused Gavilanes' death, state police said.

Mejia was arrested Wednesday on charges of murder and second-degree hindering prosecution. She was held on a $1 million dollar court-set bond and was scheduled to appear in court for arraignment Thursday, according to state police.

State police also noted additional arrests are expected in this case.