My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter, granddaughter. The only person at home at the time of the crime who was physically capable of causing the fatal injuries was Guichelaar. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. call or text Safe Haven Ministries anytime at 616.452.6664. What helped expose Guichelaar was Amber's own. (Daniel Shular/The Grand Rapids Press via AP) The Associated Press. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. A 35-year-old man has been arrested for strangling his pregnant wife at their Michigan home. Guichelaar has pleaded guilty plea for second-degree murder and. Her children were her everything.. The neighbors sued the Guichelaar family and were granted a $501,000 settlement in February of 2020. I think its mainly because I love being around people, and I love learning, wrote Amber. Certain materials reproduced on this website are believed to be in the public domain. However, the department did not release any information about the suspect. She loved very hard & would never let a day go by without you knowing how much she loved you. His bond has been set at $2 million and is scheduled to appear again in court on January 21. Some had suffered water damage but it was clear that they were documenting the struggles she was having with her husband. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But it seemed like a very unlikely explanation. While their baby was in a cot in the bedroom, the dispatcher told Guichelaar to take the toddler out of the room. 'Am I safe sleeping next to him?': Murder victim's words - WOODTV His attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. "My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do," she wrote. Man Sentenced to 33 Years in Prison for Killing Wife - US News "My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things," Guichelaar said. I am sorry, George, DeGraaf said tearfully. Police said Richard Guichelaar had been the only person home at the time of the alleged crime who would have been physically capable of causing the injuries that led to her death. Amber Guichelaar previously taught Spanish at South Christian High School where her father-in-law, George Guichelaar, formerly served as principal. He has not yet entered a plea and remains held in jail until his next court date, scheduled for Jan. 21. Husband is arrested 'for strangling to death his pregnant wife' He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his "sorrow, remorse and regret" for what happened. It also confirmed she was pregnant at the time of her death, which occurred three days before her 33rd birthday. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. (Amber) was very fun, her mom said. Trusock sentenced Richard Guichelaar to between 33 years, 4 months and 100 years in prison for killing his pregnant wife Amber Guichelaar in November 2020. KENTWOOD, MI -- A Kentwood man has been sentenced to more than 33 years in prison for killing his pregnant wife in a crime a judge said was beyond comprehension, quite frankly.. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. - Merriam Webster dictionary. (She) said that Richard then told (her) that the bedroom was hot, and Richard said the thermostat was set to 78 degrees. At 3:29 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, a seemingly distraught Richard Guichelaar called 911 from the couples home on Andrew Street in Kentwood. But Rachel Wustman, the assistant prosecutor on the case for Kent County, told News 8 the autopsy revealed Amber Guichelaar could not have caused her own strangulation. At the time of her death, Amber Guichelaar was teaching English as a second language to middle schoolers in the Kentwood Public School District. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! In the center console I located loose leaf notebook papers, written in marker, Dykgraaf wrote in his report, later noting that Amber Guichelaars parents confirmed her handwriting. Finally, I didnt understand what was going on, so I got up to check on (their daughter) and uh, I saw Amber.'. Im ready to accept responsibility for what I did, he said. DeGraaf said her daughter put God first and her family second, especially her beloved daughters, who were ages 2 and a half and 8 months when their mom was stolen from them. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. My wife isnt breathing, he sobbed, stumbling to get his words out. Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her home on Nov. 16, police said. Shes purple and not breathing.. When the judge asked him whether he knew she was pregnant at the time, he confirmed that he did. I dont know why that happened. In his interview with police, Richard Guichelaars father, George Guichelaar, told Dykgraaf there was a 98% chance his son was guilty. Richard Guichelaar was arrested on Saturday in connection with the death of his wife, a beloved 32-year-old teacher, who died of strangulation on Nov. 16 at the home she shared with him and their two children, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by MLive.com and WOOD-TV. The victims mother, Amy DeGraaf, spoke at the sentencing and asked the judge to consider the two young children. This was an absolutely atrocious and terrible situation. Man breaks down at sentencing hearing for killing his - YouTube If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Please consider donating for the girls future.". The girls are being well cared for at this time but we know there is a lot ahead. He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his "sorrow, remorse and regret" for what happened. He said he waited for Amber to give the baby a dummy but the baby kept crying, so he went upstairs to check on them and found Amber dead. However, she continued to smile and make out that everything was fine. Ambers birthday was approaching and when her sister texted to ask what she wanted, she replied, A new husband. It was a joke but deep down she meant it. Have a news tip? He said Guichelaar was a danger to society and should never be free, then sentenced him to life in jail with a minimum 33 years and a maximum 100. I do, he said. "Mugshot unavailable": A mugshot may or may have not been taken by authorities. She said he had beaten, kicked, punched and threatened her. She was found dead on her bed under what police have described as suspicious circumstances, according to. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. These companies may use information (not including your name, address email address or telephone number) about your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. (She) stated that when she would hear about these fights it would be after the fact when Amber would mention it during conversation by saying things along the lines of Richard is doing better because he broke his Xbox, Dykgraaf reported. Guichelaar called 911 to report finding his wife dead in . There's none whatsoever.". Amber also had some abrasions that were not visible when shed had a FaceTime call with her sister just hours earlier. . Michigan motherof two Amber Guichelaar, who was pregnant with her third child, was found dead on her bed on November 16. When pregnant mother of two Amber Guichelaar was found dead in her Michigan home in November, police were suspicious. Theyd met when she was teaching Spanish at a school where Guichelaars dad was the principal. While she had confessed secretly on paper, Amber was trying to deal with it all alone. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. Richard Guichelaars brother told police that as a child, he would threaten to burn the house down, kill his brothers hamster by crushing it, cut his sister with a knife or leave her in a field to freeze to death. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here. Relationships should be free of abuse! Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Alex Murdaugh: Inside the Mind of a Killer, Mallory Beachs Family Attorney Speaks to Court TV. Know you are worthy and loved by so many., That is our biggest hope, Amy DeGraaf said. Bond was set at $2 million. However, at home he frustrated Amber with how little he helped her out with the family. The mother of two was found dead at her home on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. On Monday, Richard Guichelaar was arraigned in court on an open murder charge. In court documents obtained by Target 8, investigators said Richard Guichelaar had called 911 on Nov. 16 and stated he had found his wife, Amber, dead in their bed. Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her Kentwood home in November 2020. "Kentwood detectives worked this case for almost two months, and with the help of the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office, they were able to develop probable cause to arrest a suspect for her murder.". Amber definitely was a child of God, said her mom, Amy DeGraaf, in a recent interview with Target 8. Outside the courtroom the day of the plea, there was an incredible show of grace as Amy DeGraaf hugged Richard Guichelaars father, George Guichelaar. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Amber Guichelaar was the mother of two young children and was pregnant with the couples third child when she died. Tragic Amber Guichelaar's words would help lock up the brute who strangled her. The tragic killing happened in November. / CW50 Detroit. When the judge shared his thoughts with Guichelaar, he described Ambers death as brutal and senseless. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Police: Man dies in fight at Wyoming hotel parking, Mexican AG sacked in wake of bloody prison break, Kent Co. Community Action walks to keep homes heated, 1 hospitalized following Port Sheldon Township crash, I see you, Jaylyn Boones journey to success, Bill Steffen T-shirts launched by The Mitten State. Company. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. The couple had two daughters, aged two and eight months, and Amber was pregnant again. he wants (them) to believe, Dykgraaf wrote. Opinions expressed in comments across this website are solely those of our visitors. KENTWOOD, MI - A man accused of strangling his pregnant wife, a Kentwood teacher, was ordered held Monday, Jan. 11, on $2 million bond. I think the hard part is, Amber did a really good job of covering for him, Wustman said. Sign up forPEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Guichelaar didnt help with the kids or the chores. The couple had two children, the 8-month-old and a toddler, and Amber Guichelaar was newly pregnant with their third child. None of the versions added up, according to family and friends. She told no one about the physical assaults she was enduring. But Friday, News 8 confirmed that an open murder arrest warrant had been issued for Richard Guichelaar through Kentwood District Court. Suspect charged in death of Kentwood teacher, Arrest made in 2020 death of Kentwood Public Schools teacher. KENTWOOD, Mich. (AP) A man who strangled his pregnant wife, a well-liked teacher in the Grand Rapids area, was sentenced Thursday to at least 33 years in prison. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. Amber graduated from Calvin College and had most recently been employed by Kentwood Public Schools, teaching students who were learning English as a second language. . She died three days before her 33rd birthday. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. Her children are her living legacy and they will grow to know how much their angel momma loved them & be raised on the Living Word of Christ, Brittany wrote to Target 8. Michigan Man Held For Strangling Pregnant Wife Amber talked about the violence shed suffered and even listed Guichelaars angry outbursts. Yes, your honour, he replied. Richard Guichelaar, 35, who was arrested on Saturday, has been charged with open murder in the November 16 death of his wife, 32-year-old Amber Guichelaar. You may leave a message for the family by clicking here. Richard James Guichelaar, 35, was arrested Saturday and booked into the jail. Her husband called 911 around 3:30 a.m. that morning to report that he had found his wife dead on their bed, according to a probable-cause affidavit obtained by the outlet. Amber Guichelaars sister, Brittany, lived with the couple at their home on Andrew Street in Kentwood, though she was gone the night Amber died. My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things, Guichelaar said. The documents stating the medical examiner found injuries consistent with an assault which accused just prior to her death.. On the night she died, Richard Guichelaar was the only person at home "capable of causing such injuries," the affidavit says. My daughters right next to us. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. Amber Guichelaar described her passion for teaching in a. The following Official Record of RICHARD JAMES GUICHELAAR is being Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. The sentencing guidelines for these charges range from more than 20 years to more than 33 years behind bars. For latest case status, contact the official Law Enforcement Agency which originally released the information. The couple fought over the issue in text exchanges one week before the murder. What he said made him finally wake up and get up was hearing the baby cry and, again, (Ambers) sister said he never got up with the baby. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. But Kentwood Police detectives believed that the death looked suspicious, authorities said. Emailnews@13onyourside.com, visit ourFacebook pageorTwitter. The imbalance of duties sometimes prompted fights, according to one of the close friends. She said Amber Guichelaars sister, who has no children of her own yet, has stepped in to the role of mother for the young girls. That just wasnt what he did, Wustman explained to News 8. Her father-in-law, George Guichelaar, formerly served as principal of the high school. In his report, Detective Tim Dykgraaf wrote of the discovery police made while searching the 32-year-old wife and mothers minivan one day after her death. Reaching out and letting someone know may free you of the loneliness, shame, isolation, fear that you feel due to the abuse of your abuser, Brittany wrote. He admitted that the night Amber died, hed been angry with her for taking so long to lock up the house before bed. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Ambers family and friends also said Guichelaars version of events kept changing. She stated she did not know what the fight was about, possibly Richard not helping with children, but Richard picked up the high-chair and broke it, Dykgraaf wrote. She died from asphyxiation, and it was caused by someone else, Wustman told News 8 in a recent interview, noting the medical examiner documented some abrasions Amber Guichelaar did not have when she FaceTimed with her sister earlier that night. The 32-year-old was a committed Christian who had been inspired by the church mission trips she had experienced while growing up. Probably because of the kind of person she was. Man sentenced to 33 years in prison for killing wife - Court TV "You killed her intentionally, Kent County Judge Mark Trusock said. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. "My. KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) When Richard Guichelaar strangled the life from his wifes body, he thought he had silenced her voice forever. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. My wife isnt breathing, he told a dispatcher, stumbling over his words amid panicked sobs. Because when tragic Ambers words were finally heard, it was too late for her. His parents said their son developed mental health issues as a young teen after suffering several concussions. Amber Guichelaar went on to document the violence she had endured at the hands of her husband Richard Guichelaar, 39. Amber Guichelaar, 32, died Nov. 16 at the home she shared with her husband at 1432 Andrew SE in Kentwood. Asked if he was pleading guilty because he is, Guichelaar told the. Richard Guichelaars sister said her first thought upon learning her sister-in-law was dead was, Richard did it, and that he may have flew into a rage and couldnt gain control., He is an angry person, the sister told the detective, according to his report. Husband Arrested Months After Allegedly Strangling 'Beloved - CafeMom An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the purported investigation or prevention of crime and presenting (the arrestee) to a procedure as part of the criminal justice system. Her cause of death was determined by the medical examiner as the result of strangulation/asphyxiation.. Theres just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his sorrow, remorse and regret for what happened. On one of the pieces of paper, wrote Dykgraaf in his report, she listed off the following: -He has beaten me-Kicked and punched (blotted) me-Threw a mug (blotted words) big screen TV-Smashed my cell phones-Punched glass shower door-Broken four doors-Smashed counter w/ hammer-Punched hole in the wall. Im ready to accept responsibility for what I did, he said. The pathologist who conducted Guichelaars autopsy, told News 8 several weeks ago that he had asked Kentwood Police to do some additional investigation to assist him in determining the manner of death. Guichelaar's wife, Amber, 32, died Nov. 16 at the couple's home on Andrew Street near Kalamazoo Avenue and 52nd Street. Mugshot - A photograph of usually a person's head and especially face; specifically : a police photograph of a suspect's face or profile." In a statement released by the school district, officials described her death as a tragic loss for the community. Target 8 used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain investigative reports compiled by detectives from the Kentwood Police Department. Richard said, I was waiting, waiting, waiting and waiting. WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE
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