“There was no yellow tape, there was no yellow tape,” said a family member of a homeless woman who was reported to have died Saturday, July 8 at Beard Brook Park in Modesto.
The speaker was the brother-in-law of Christy Chavez. He was with family members visiting the site of Christy’s death on Wednesday, July 12, four days after she had last been seen near a hillside where a man was mowing dry grass along the west side of the park. The absence of yellow tape at the site was one of several puzzling aspects of yet another in the rising death toll of homeless people in Modesto.
The deceased woman’s family and people who saw her shortly before she died claim she was sleeping in dry grass prior to being run over by a large tractor pulling a powerful mower. According to preliminary reports, a Modesto Police Officer informed the family of her death on Sunday, July 9.
“I saw that tractor and I wondered why it was going so fast,” said a woman named Casey, who had been in the area and saw Christy Chavez just before she was run over.
“That tractor was ripping through the grass really hard,” said a homeless man, who had also seen Christy just before the incident. “I went up that way when I saw cops there because I wanted to know what happened, but they just told me to go away.”
The former permitted campsite of what became known as “Beard Brook Village,” Beard Brook Park has long been known as a stopover and camping area for homeless people. It is traversed regularly by homeless people and residents of the nearby Salvation Army Berberian Shelter, located on 9th and D Streets near downtown Modesto.
Formerly owned by the City of Modesto, the property was sought by Gallo Winery several years ago. Negotiations went on for years. According to the Modesto Bee, they were finalized only last Friday, July 7. Once they learned people were on the property Wednesday, Gallo Security Officers asked distraught family members to leave, even as they continued to pick up body parts and mourn their deceased relative. They had been visiting the site and picking up body parts for three days.
“I saw Christy just before it happened, and she looked like she wanted to be by herself,” said the homeless man. The woman named Casey confirmed that she had known Christy and she often preferred to be by herself. According to staff, she had left the Berberian Shelter of her own volition a few days before her death.
Speaking in Spanish, Christy’s father, Cristobal Chavez, reported the incident to the Modesto City Council via zoom during its July 11 meeting. Dez Martinez, a homeless advocate with “We are not Invisible,” also spoke about the incident. The next day, family members were still collecting body parts at the scene of the tragedy. They reported the body had been dragged as many as thirty or forty yards from the point she had been run over.
It was approximately 2:30pm when Detective David Ramirez of the Modesto Police Department arrived at the site where bereaved family members had gathered to mourn.
With Gallo Security patiently asking everyone to leave, the scene became highly emotional as Christy’s mother and father demanded to know why there had to that point been no investigation of their daughter’s death. Family members refused to leave as their grief turned to anger at what appeared to be a failure to investigate the death of a loved one in a timely manner.
Stunned and stoic, most likely from shock, Christy’s bereaved father continued collecting body parts in a dutiful act of love for his lost daughter. He carried shattered pieces of bone in a small plastic bag and at times seemed unable to process how such a horrific thing could have happened with so little concern shown by local authorities.
Meanwhile, Detective Ramirez began organizing his investigation, four days after Christy had last been seen alive.
My homeless friend fell in the St. John’s river on April 8, 2023 and is still missing. No search was made and no investigation because he was homeless. Shame on all of California. Hopeless in Visalia Ca.
How sad. I’m sorry you lost your friend. Shame on the authorities in that area for not giving your friend the same respect as anyone else.
Amen.🙏🙏🙏
So sorry to hear about your friend. You should demand an investigation.
Tom Piz and Christ’s family,
I, 100% agree, investigate and sue, by all means!
Since, Gallo is the official owner, of the property, hire a top notch legal firm with an experienced investigator. Do not settle for any low keyed local attorney, and/or, Private or In House Investigator.
I already see many avenues where Gallo negligently left Christy, and themselves wide open, for injury. I will not detail them.
I do want to add, numerous witnesses were able to see Christy laying down in the grass. Thus, Grover’s fiduciary employee had ample ability to see her. Lack of due diligence and reckless speed enter as elements against Grover, and employee, Gallo, and Security company if contracted with Gallo, and all Does.
If it were me I would, also, fill out paperwork and file at “Unlimited” civil court, at the city of Modesto, Stanislaus County, the Modesto Police, Sheriff’s, and the Tuolumne River Regional Park entity, involved in this land swap transaction, to file a claim for injury on behalf of Christy and family. The trade of property was so recent that somehow any one of a number of entities could still legally be liable. Be brief, and cover all above bases, and any others that arise, since their are time limit statutes, especially when suing a gov’t entity. Once you take on a pro-bono law firm they can revise your documents. I cannot caution you enough to do research on the law firm prior to hiring. Do not immediately sign a contract.
Can you think of any other suggestions, Tom? Family?
This is to honor, Christy…
I apologize the above reply was supposed to be addressed to Tom Piz and Christy’s family.
Exactly do what is right for her, in many places the homeless the homeless don’t have a voice, and law enforcement’s don’t care much about them, to them it’s another number they don’t have to content with. I feel pain for her family and how she passed, may God keep her in his grace
👍🏾 sounds like murder to me. There’s no way you can’t feel the bumps as the mower is mowing the grass. Come on now really??? I’m so sick of MANKIND. 👹
Doing what’s right is a proper burial and celebrating the memories shared.
Not suing every “entity “ that could possibly be dug up as to being connected to that land.
Accidents happen. Yes it was a terrible accident and I can’t imagine what the driver of the tractor is going thru.
All the same and with much respect for those involved, still an accident.
Do you know some things
we do not know? Is the investigation over?
Your statements are so matter of fact.
Our homeless deserve better and a tort and/or criminal case will make the local gov’t act on behalf of those who are still without a place to rest their weary heads
KCRA released a beautiful photo of Christy and an interview of her dad, Christopher
who wants a full investigation and justice for Christy.
Christy was not invisible as she laid on the park ground. A Gallo spokesperson claimed Christy was invisible. She is repeating hearsay to the press.
Would you have wanted to go back to the park multiple days and still have been able to pick up pieces of your loved one off the ground?
The city of Modesto did a mere sweep of her belongings and called it done.
Very typical of how Modesto conducts itself around the homeless.
We are mad and we are not taking that from Modesto any more.
Be fair warned, Sue Zwalen!
This is not going to be swept under the grass.
It could have been so much different, yet it was not.
We want SAFE GROUND TO REST UPON for our poor, Sue!
We are not willing to wait patiently!
You blew it, Zwalen, just like you blow off the poor among you.
Christy Chavez is not going away.
No matter how many times anyone recites, “OUT, OUT, DAMN SPOT!”
Why didn’t she stay with family if they were so concern? I’m sorry this person loss their life. She was trespassing!! So Gallo owns the property & that gives people the right to sue them? I’m quite sure the person mowing the grass down is very upset too. Those John Deere’s with the mower blades behind them are quite loud. So why didn’t she hear the mower? This is just another OMG my loved one has been murdered & who can I sue to fill my pockets. Like I stated before why wasn’t she at her family’s homes staying with one of them, that’s the question that needs to be answered.
You obviously don’t know anything abot the homeless who struggle to find a safe place to be. Very common thing for a person to say that couldn’tcare less about the homeless!
You are so ignorant on so many levels not sure where to start Gallo is responsible it thier property
We have demanded one and will be at Modesto Pd tomorrow to demand again. They said they would not help the family anymore because we didn’t hand over the pieces of her to the detective. We took to corner ourselves.
Did some research on you, Dez. You are a person for justice. The real justice.
I read the KCRA news story on Christy and her dad. Beautiful photo of Christy
Your group was mentioned. You got the truth out. Only, would prefer all the truth out. KCRA may have chosen to whittle it down.
Perhaps we will meet up some day. I like what you stand up for.
Hello Tamara, I am Dez Martinez with We Are Not Invisible in Fresno CA. I would like to follow up on that situation to see if there is anything I can do
It’s come to this now!? Have and have not. Have rights don’t have rights. If you have them becareful the havents can always take.
I’m sorry. I pray u find him
If she was mentally ill it’s a hard situation to deal with I know a person who is mentally ill and her family is always helping her bur she prefer to be homeless nomatter how hard her family tries to find shelter for her so don’t assume until you know the situation the family in with there love one remember only God can judge and all we can do is pray and help when needed.
So many people to judge her family… Just because it has not been included in the article, does not mean her family hadn’t tried to help her… Many unhoused people, especially with mental health issues, choose to be unhoused for a number of reasons. This woman deserves to have her death investigated the same as anyone else does. And, if her family does not fight for that to happen, who will? We don’t know the full details of her family and their involvement in her life, so it’s not up to us to point fingers at anyone …
100% agree! Thanks
🙏🙏🙏Shame on our Horrible State and people Judging someone’s financial struggles. Just so wrong. we are ALL God’s children. I’m so sorry about your friend. God says we are not of this world. It’s gotten so ugly, the humans anyway.
I understand the family frustration, my question is where was her family before all this happen? Why was she homeless, with all this family at the park demanding answers why didn’t they help her when she was alive? Jus wondering? RiP Christy.
She may had a mental illness.
In which case the family allowed this to happen. Sure they will now want $$$$. Sure they will donate it to mental health care for others, right?
Shame on you!
Do you walk a perfect path in life. Your remarks are quite grotesque
I wonder too
I was thinking the same thing. They are all there AFTER THE FACT. They’re caring way to late. Very sad.
Ricky, do you not think Christy’s family is suffering? Please don’t place on them what you think yet do not know, K?
Im sorry u feel this way because she had open doors for her everywhere. Her Family and siblings always welcomed her and asked her to stay. Most recent, she lived with her dad. But she never could stay anywhere for long. She wanted to be herself and be free to do whatever. Her family tried for yrs. But as an adult there’s not much u can do unless she wanted to. No matter why she didnt hear the tractor or why she was homeless is not a reason or an excuse to be ran over by a mower and killed. It’s the drivers responsibility from the minute he got on the tractor. And damage or whatever he may go over is his responsibility. He should of seen her, or he should of made a round to make sure there was nothing he could run over throughout the park. If u were run over in the street because a driver couldnt see u, whos responsibility would it be? The driver should be charged and be responsible for her life he took. I’m not saying murder, but involuntary manslaughter.
I also want to know the same. It can be touchy with family especially if you were estranged. But why fight for her now that she’s gone?? Why not before?? Not trying to insult anyone but is this regret we’re seeing?? But besides that this is VERY tragic. I doubt that man woke up that morning thinking he would be involved in this tragedy. Really a shame for all.
I dont know if this was Christys case, but I have a homeless cousin, he has lots of family here in Modesto and the surrounding areas. All of us have tried to help him many, many times by giving him shelter, food, love, clothes, shoes, guidance, work, you name it. Unfortunately no matter how much we tried to help him, he kept wanting to go back to the streets. What else can we do? You cant help someone that doesnt want to be helped. I love my cousin and I feel bad for him, but at the same time thats the life he chooses and theres nothing more we can do about it. So family or no family, at the end of the day people are going to do what they want to do. Sad I know. RIP Christy. My condolences to her family.
I think that you haven’t helped enough no one should be outside without family and shelter someone has to know what really has your relative going back to the streets so I’m just calling you on that because there has to be accountability someone has to be held accountable for something and something isn’t right with someone wanting to go back out to the streets except they feel better or rather put up with strangers than their own family I say give more and do more for if anyone has a family member out in the streets the whole family should be taking responsibility and start helping each other prevent homelessness and be more accountable for this homeless problem that everyone should be doing and giving more attention too thank you God bless
You cannot hold her family accountable when you don’t have any idea how involved her family was her. She was an adult she made the choice to be homeless maybe she had mental health issues . You should never judge anyone never speak bad on anyone or any situation you have no clue about. Get the facts first!!
A lot of people like to assume they know it all when in reality they obviously know very little about life. They should get off there high horses and show some respect. Trust me you think you all so perfect but one day you could very easily look around and find yourself in a situation that you never expected to be in and then on that day you’ll realize what it’s like to have the shoe on the other foot.
I would like to set you any everybody who shares your sentiment straight on the notion that the family could do more for a loved one that has substance abuse and mental health issues and is on the streets . I had a friend with a loving family she had a precious little daughter and she began using drugs which caused her to become psychotic. They could not hold her in the house ànd keep her from going out where she would use, unless they shackled her to her bed and locked the doors and I’m sure you agree that is not loving option. And when she had a psychotic break she was a danger to her child and her parents as she would have a delusion that evil demonic bad guys were attacking their home. They could be her dad or her mom or possess her daughter and she felt she had to protect her family by wielding her knives or a shotgun to fight the demons. They could not at that point keep her in the home or commit her to a facility the police cannot do this either people have personal rights. So they put her in jail. And she would roam the streets. She ended up dying in a park suspicious circumstances. Do not blame the family or judge them for not doing more. Especially if u do not know obviously what it’s like to have a fentanyl addict or other drug addict or someone you love has dangerous mental illness…if you did you wouldn’t say such things. You would KNOW.
SLEEPING ON THE GRASS IN A FORMER large CITY OF MODESTO PARK hardly seems you can blame the family or harass them about an intervention. Her death was not investigated because apparently she was homeless and city and GROVER and GALLO at fault
LEILANI HAGBERG:
I have thought the same:
How different would Christy’s case be investigated, if Gallo, Grover, City of Modesto, County of Stanislaus, and, the Tuolomne River group, entities, we’re not key parties? Especially, key parties to a potential criminal or unlimited civil suit?
I offer, criminal, even though MPD does not, because the contractor seemingly drove up on Christy so rapidly she likely had no time to move out of his way.
I , vividly, remember being on a cement sidewalk when a young boy on a bike, approached me so rapidly, I could hear him coming straight towards me, yet I froze in place. My thoughts went to, whether or not he would swerve to my left, or right, in order to keep from riding right up on me. I was caught up in deciding whether or not to move myself to the left, right, or stay put. Time made the decision for me.
In my case, he swerved at the very last second, barely missing me, and drove like a bat out of hell beyond me up the sidewalk.
I recall gasping, holding my breath, tensing up, and hoping for the best.
The speed, the weight of a child on a bike, and the noise emited as it came closer, put me a precarious position.
I never got over those few moments, and the moments after, where I wanted to locate that menacing child’s parents, to demand they teach that young boy a lesson, in civility. Teach him when he knew other people were sharing the sacred ground around them, the first thing he do is slow the hell down and keep a wide distance to prevent casualties.
Grover’s employee
had to know he was amongst people, thus a child, pet, or adult could dart out in front of him with hardly nanoseconds’ notice, there, at Beard’s Brook Park. It is not like he could hear much, if, anything.
Add to that, Christy, planning to sleep in the light of day, on a hot summer afternoon, more than likely, she chose shade to lay in. Photos of the baseball area and hill where she lay reveal dark shade. The spot she chose would require hours of shade to sleep under.
Grover’s employee had to have known his eyes were experiencing focusing problems as he went from full sun, into shade, and back into full sun again. Eyes do not adjust that fast, even wearing sun glasses.
Another reason why he had no business driving heavy equipment at a rate of speed where he lost control.
You can not convince me he did not feel or hear a change in how the two machines behaved for as Christy was dragged along for yards upon yards. Did he hit and run? Did he return to the scene of the crime?
Grover’s employee had to know a second machine attached to the John Deere would kick out and in behind. So, more loss of full control.
Grover’s employee could face murder charges:
Non-premeditated murder.
And, face Unlimited Civil, multiple Torts, at the very least, for Negligence.
There are thousands of attorneys who would take this case on a contingency basis, for all the right reasons, in Unlimited Civil Court
Make certain the legal firm is not local and has a track record practicing law as HOMELESS ADVOCATES, if possible. Just any lawyer will lack the finesse.
There may be Civil Rights violations to sue for, as well. Each type of law may require separate attorney expertise. More than one lawyer. Which is why a firm may be best. Lead attorney, and, legal specialists.
This is not Grovers or Gallows fault. She was trespassing on the land. The poor person who ran her over was working why would be think someone would be sleeping in a place that was not theirs. This is terribly sad, but not anyone s fault but the poor woman who died
This park has been known as the “homeless park” for a very long time. For more than a decade it has been the sleeping place for the local homeless community and at one point in 2018 it was officially designated temporary as permitted camping and emergency shelter for the homeless. When the homeless were relocated to the adjacent site under the 9th street bridge the city and police department were very meticulous about notifying the homeless that the park was being fenced off and tractors were coming in. They did this by walking around tent to tent and handing out paper notices as well as posting them everywhere. They drove up and down the park announcing on a loud speaker. Day of they made sure every human was off the property and put up fences. The police stayed on site the entire time the tractors worked on the property. They stated that they were taking every precaution to prevent what happened with caltrans when a homeless woman was killed during the cleaning up of an encampment by the freeway. Again when the new site closed they took the same precautions. It just seems odd that the land swap deal didn’t include any plans for a safe transition from a public park that was known to be a sleeping place for homeless people to now private property owned by Gallo. No one considered that this could happen? They should have taken the same precautions before they started the weed abatement and really the property was to change hands so it’s ok to let the weeds get so overgrown? As a former resident of beardbrook village I can tell you honestly that the Gallo people would stare and watch us from the edge of the creek all the time. It looked like the tram at the zoo giving a guided tour as they observed the homeless going about our daily routine. And for the ones who can’t understand why she didn’t hear the mower and jump out of the way, it is very noisy down there. This area is an industrial area and the park is filled with similar noise like humming and vibration from the factories and trucking yards. The road is extremely busy and the creek and grass is filled with humming and buzzing of insects and nature. I wonder if anyone checked to see if a train rumbled through at the time of death. It takes a long time for a train to pass around the park and it’s very loud and the whole area rumbles. How hard would it have been for the people in charge to take some time to notify the people that sleep in the park that it wasn’t a park anymore and secure the property? They still have not done that like as if doing so might give away the fact that they should have done so in the first place
Excellent questions!!!
Not sure why they are being called grotesque and shameful tho.
With all that family and friends so quick to go after those that might lead to a big payday (on behalf of the victim, of course) it makes you wonder.
This is so sad. I cannot believe that the police think that human life is not worth investigating. People need to respond to this woman’s family as to why it took the police 4 days to start an investigation on her death. May she rest in peace and my condolences to the entire family as well as the homeless community. This has to be very hard for them as well.
I forgot to say something about Gallo and their security asking the family to leave, shame on you Gallo and shame on you security officer, you should be ashamed of yourself. I hope the family sues them.
This is so tragic &senseless. Homeless people are Human Beings Too &their situations all vary, but the callousness of the Authorities/ Corporate people is unacceptable & surely God will cast judgement upon them. RIP
People just want the homeless to disappear ! Why not help these people get off the streets! HELP PEOPLE IN AMERICA 1st ! How can we truly help others if we can’t help ourselves!
They have to agree to be helped. Millions of taxpayer $$ as well as private funds and thousands of volunteer hours have been spent helping them.- to include picking up the messes they create.
People get treated as if theres not enough space on earth for all exspecialy homeless or the ones living on welfare and foodstamps and on medical go to emergency for health problem they give you some b.s meds that dont help the issue but make you worse off and die unexsplained death i feel its about killing off the unwanted taking up space.USA is not what other countrys think trying to come here aint no land of the free or a promise to a future dead wrong.
Yes sir
Let me guess now the family that wanted nothing to do with her (hence being homeless) is gonna sue for alot of money how sad this poor lady has family members crying over her when she was HOMELESS wow
Tobias, admit you know nothing about Christy or family. It is not right to impute wrong motives.
It upsets me to read these people bashing Christy’s family for not being there for her when she was homeless. There are things people don’t know about Christy & the family relationship. Maybe family offered to help her & she declined help. Don’t bash the family for coming forward now. If you haven’t experienced homelessness yourself, then you don’t understand. Please stop passing judgement. RIP Christy.
You have no way of knowing that her family wanted nothing to do with her. The article says Gallo tried for years to buy that property. The day after the sale was finalized they sent people in with heavy equipment to work in areas that were known to be frequented by houseless people. And she is hot the first houseless person to be killed by inattentive people operating heavy equipment. In 2018 a woman was killed when CDT bulldozed a homeless encampment without clearing it first.
Whatever the circumstances, this is a very tragic situation and must be pure hell for the family and friends. Negative remarks and judgmental comments make only the author feel better.
really sick assessment of tragic death,you should be ashamed
This is heartbreaking what has happened to this young lady. Unbelievably sad. She may have been trying to blend in to the environment so as not to be seen by anyone. Law enforcement or anyone who might bother or hurt her if they saw her there in that vulnerable state. And this is the results of having to hide yourself just to catch a little rest. Apparently he could not see her. I know a lady who sleeps on a bench on the corner of one of the busiest intersections in Modesto. She says it’s the safest spot due to being so visible. She used to find a tuck spot to sleep in but ended up being assaulted several times. And it’s so hot this time of year that it’s difficult to do anything during the day other than rest in the park and move about at night time. Some will see the part about her leaving the shelter a few days before. She may not have felt safe or comfortable there. It’s so ridiculous that over the last 5 years there were funds that were meant to be spent on solutions for getting people housed. The Kansas house and downtown streets team are the only success story we have but it’s not big enough for everyone. Everything else went to expanding the salvation army shelter. Everyone living together in one room, no privacy. A shelter is not a home. 5 years and we can’t even figure out how to set up the safe overnight parking lot for the homeless.
No one knows why they’re homeless to start with, it could of started from a bad childhood and mentally stayed with them through their adulthood. Not everyone is served a good life from the beginning and later in life doesn’t know how to live life accordingly 😵💫 how do we know if family members didn’t try to help the homeless and wasn’t successful multiple times as I had with my brother but I didn’t succeed nor did my mother only because his disrespect to us and our own families. It’s very sad what happened to Christy may she RIP and my condolences to her family and friends. 🙏🏼 she did not deserve to leave this earth this way also how is the family picking up her body parts 4 days later something is horribly wrong with this picture so heartbreaking I’m truly saddened who wouldn’t be omg.
I see a huge law suit coming! My condolences to the family, I’m so sorry for your loss. May God bring comfort to all her family.
I do not want to come across mean…
I find it so unnecessary for others to question, out loud or in print, why a woman in her 20’s cannot choose to be off on her own rather than depend on family for anything. It would be a better world, if families stayed closer, but it is not often like that these days. It has not been likely for decades.
Many families fell for the empty nest syndrome, expecting their children to move out once an adult. Or, consider the cost to rent or own, making it darn near impossible to have enough room for more family members. Recall leases do not permit more people in a rental, other than a typical two week period, usually. HUD regulations restrict the number of people under the same roof, thus restricting ability to help other family members in need. There may have been a family falling out. You name it, it is possible.
It does not have to have anything to do with mental or drug illness. But I will share this: not even potential landlords are allowed to ask about family, mental, or drug history. Therefore, do you have to? Can the family, what is left of the family, not be taunted with frivolous questions that are not going to help Christy or family one bit?
Thank you for your consideration.
So sad. RIP 🙏😢
Until you walk a mile in another person’s shoes, you shouldn’t judge “why this that or another”. It isn’t easy for any family to have a homeless family member. It isn’t because they don’t care or love them! Those that are homeless are adults. Most that refuse counseling or medical treatment. Or have already tried, but didn’t work. Have a little more compassion, people. Maybe turn the negative words into a prayer for those lost.
To her family, God bless you all, during this unfortunate, difficult time. May He heal your sorrow gently as possible. My condolences and prayers are with you today and always. I pray you get the guidance and help from authorities and all with abilities to step up.
Life Is All About Choices And Consequences. If she was “at risk” her family should have been caring for her. Was she even here legally? Yes. That matters. NO Citizenship = NO Benefits.
This is sad for sure.
But there’s a lot of judgment all around. Between the victim and the worker…
Nobody knows her true story but her. We don’t know why she chose the sleep there in that moment, to hide or not hide. We don’t know why she became homeless or if she had mental illness. We don’t know if anyone has tried to help her.
And it’s not like the landscaper did it on purpose. It’s very unfortunate but accidents do happen. Especially in the homeless community.
Just express your condolences and move on. Investigations are conducted by policy and procedure. It will be done just trust the system.
[…] Story continues […]
I am so sorry for this family’s loss regardless of the situation.
My heart goes out to the homeless community.
Why in this world is the USA supporting illegals in our country before taking care of our own?
It may or may not be
our homeless communities fault they are homeless but they are still humans just like you and I. We need to count our blessings that we have a roof over our head.
The USA is supposed to be “home of the free land of the brave.” Something is dreadfully wrong when we can’t find a way to take care of the homeless and our our VETERANS.
VERY well said Ethel. My thoughts, exactly. DO FOR OUR OWN 1ST!
My thoughts and prayers are with Christy and her family. May they be given the answers they seek. Why, why is the family picking up and searching for body parts? WTF is wrong with Modesto/Stanislaus County/Gallo that they aren’t being responsible for this cleanup? SMH I’m just at a loss for words. May Christy now rest in peace.
THAT, JEAN, IS A COLD THING TO SAY. AND YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN.
AND, WHO ARE “THEY?”
ALIENS FROM SOME OTHER UNIVERSE? AS IF NOT ONE OF US? YOU SOUND VERY BIASED. DESCRIMINATION DOES NOT BECOME YOU. STEROTYPING IS NOT WELCOME.
YOU EXPRESS YOUR SENTIMENTS AS IF YOU THINK YOU ARE SOME KIND OF EXPERT ON HOW INDIVIDUALS CONDUCT THEMSELVES WHEN WITHOUT HOMES.
SUDDENLY, ONCE, WITHOUT A HOME, ACCORDING TO YOU, “THEY” HAVE TO WANT HELP OR DO NOT WASTE MONEY OR EFFORT. HOW CONVENIENT TO CHOCK IT UP SO SUCCINCTLY. SO GLAD YOU ARE NOT THE DECISION MAKER, JEAN.
ACCORDING TO YOU, ALL THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS SPENT WAS JUST THROWN AWAY. YOU HAVE RELEGATED PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES TO A CATEGORY OF PEOPLE WHO WILL NEVER BE CONTENT WITH A ROOF OVER HEAD, EVER AGAIN, IT SEEMS. IF I CAUGHT YOUR DRIFT CORRECTLY.
IT IS AS IF EVERY SINGLE UNHOUSED INDIVIDUAL HAS CONTRACTED A PHOBIA TOWARD HOUSING, AM I UNDERSTANDING YOUR TAKE ON YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE CAUGHT UP IN AN UNJUST SYSTEM MANAGED BY MANY PEOPLE WHO APPARENTLY THINK SIMILAR TO YOU?
I SAY THIS BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD WHAT YOU SAID SO MANY TIMES, FROM OTHERS, I FIND MY STOMACH START TO CHURN, AS IF POISONED WITH TOXIC THOUGHTS IMPOSED ON ME. WITH NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE OFFERING A JUST REBUTTAL…
AS I SUM IT UP, DUE TO MY OWN THEORIES, WELL THOUGHT OUT, WITH RESEARCH TO BACK MINE UP, WHAT YOU SAID CANNOT POSSIBLY BE ACCURATE.
IF, OR, WHEN SOME PERSON REFUSES THE “HELP” YOU REFERENCE, I AM INCLINED TO APPLY WHAT I KNOW IS FACTUAL.
THE VERY FIRST THING I ASK OF ANY PERSON REFUSING “HELP,” IS: “FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT KIND OF HELP DO YOU SEE WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO YOUR VISION OF A BEST SCENARIO?” SEE WE CAN ALL THINK FOR THE HOMELESS AS TO WHAT WE THINK IS NEEDED. YET, TIME HAS REVEALED THE ONES IN CHARGE OF SPENDING MONEY ARE RETICENT TO DISCOVER FROM THE SOURCE, WHAT MEETING OF THE MINDS CAN BE REACHED. WE DO NOT KNOW UNTIL ASKED AND HEARD.
THOSE WITHOUT HOMES, SELDOM ARE BEING ASKED TO THE TABLE, FOR WHOLE HEARTED DISCUSSIONS. THAT FACT IS AT ISSUE WITH MOST EVERY THING NEEDING SOLUTIONS. BOARDS, COUNCILS, COMMITTEES, ARE FULL OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WITHOUT FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE, YET, WHO VIEW SELVES TO BE QUALIFIED ENOUGH TO MAKE EXPERT DECISIONS.
WHAT DOES DEZ MARTINEZ’S GROUP, (WANI), WE ARE NOT INVISIBLE, HAVE TO OFFER US? SHE WAS ONCE HOMELESS AND WORKS AMONG HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. SHE HAS EXPERIENCE THAT THE MAJORITY OF MONEY SPENDERS ARE LACKING. SO WHAT, GETTING DOWN TO BRASS TACKS, DO THEY KNOW THAT DEZ DOES NOT KNOW? THERE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE NEEDED AT THE TABLE WITH VOTING PRIVILEGES
I HEARD BACK 15+ YEARS AGO, THE COMMITTEE HERE IN STAN CO WAS GOING TO TRAVEL TO CHECK OUT WHAT CITIES ELSE WHERE WERE BUSY DOING. I REPEAT, 15+ YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK OTHER THAN FROM THE POLICE CHIEF WHO TRIED TO SNUFF OUT A BENEFICIAL IDEA. DID HE MEAN HE AND HIS FELLOW OFFICERS ARE NOT PAID ENOUGH TO CARE ALL THAT MUCH?
I, MYSELF, DO MUCH RESEARCH AS TO HOW OTHER CITIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS ARE SUCEEDING IN MAKING HEADWAY IN DISCOVERING PATHS TO STEM THE TIDE WITHIN OUR HUMANITIES’ HUGE AND TRAGIC CRISIS, KNOWN AS: HOMELESSNESS.
WHAT I LEARNED IS OBSTRUCTING TO HOUSING FOR THE POVERTY STRICKEN IS GREED, ZONING, REGULATIONS, POOR PLANNING, AND NIMBYISM. THE USA HAS BECOME TO SMUG FOR IT’S CITIZENS AND NON-CITIZENS. WE NEED TO START WITH A CLEAN SLATE.
IMMIGRANTS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE CAME HERE AND SURVIVED IN MAKE DO HOUSING. WE NEED TO RETURN TO WHAT EVER IT TAKES.
THERE IS NOT A SINGLE EXCUSE FOR CHRISTY’S DEATH, NO MATTER HOW SOME WANT TO APPEASE THEIR CONSCIENCES. MORE THAN TWO WITNESSES [IT ONLY TAKES TWO IN THE BIBLE] VISIBLY WITNESSED CHRISTY ON THE GRASS. NO SIGNS WERE POSTED STATING NOT TO LAY ON THE GRASS. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ON PARK GRASS FOR CENTURIES. SHE DID NO WRONG IN ANY REASONABLE JUROR’S MIND.
APPARENTLY, THE WITNESSES WERE AQUAINTED WITH CHRISTY, ENOUGH, TO KNOW HER TO LIKE HER QUIET TIME. WHO DOES NOT IF ASLEEP? I DO NOT WANT TO START RUMORS, YET IT HAS COME TO MY MIND A FEW TIMES, HOW IT WAS THAT CHRISTY MAY NOT HAVE HEARD THE MACHINE COMING. DID ANYONE SEE HER PRIOR TO THE MACHINE MOWING. DID THE MOWER COME UP ON HER SO FAST SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE AWOKEN? I KNOW I SLEEP DEEP. I HAVE JOKED THAT I COULD SLEEP THROUGH MacNAMARA’S PARADE BAND.
HOW LONG HAD CHRISTY BEEN ON THE GROUND? DID ANYONE SEE HER MOVE. CAN A TIME FRAME BE ESTABLISHED?
HOPEFULLY, NOW, THAT THE POLICE HAVE CHOSEN TO
BE INVOLVED, THEMSELVES, THEY ARE ASKING THOSE QUESTIONS TO GET THE FULL STORY. IT DOES BEG FOR AN ANSWER WHY A FULL FORENSIC CRIME SCENE ANALISIS WAS NOT PERFORMED QUICK? DID GALLO DEMAND A JUDGE’S SIGNATURE ON A SEARCH WARRANT? NONE OF US KNOWS ALL THE FACTS.
WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT NO FAMILY OF A LOVED ONE SHOULD HAVE TO PICK UP PIECES OF THEIR DECEASED BUT THE SLOPPY WAY CHRISTY’S DEATH HAS THUS FAR “NOT” BEEN INVESTIGATED “PROPERLY”, OPENS MULTIPLE PARTIES WIDE OPEN TO AN UNLIMITED OVER THE ROOF DOLLAR AMOUNT TORT. THE TRAUMA ALONE HAS NOT BEGUN TO TAKE ITS TOLL.
THEN COMES JEAN WILLINGLY INTENT TO SATISFY AN URGE TO INCLUDE THE FINAL PHRASE IN THE REPLY. COULD NOT RESIST COULD YOU, JEAN…
SOME MIGHT SAY YOU NEED TO APPLY IMPULSE CONTROL
MC, I want to correct a couple of points made.
Christy allegedly died on July 8th, 2023. The park only changed ownership July 7th, 2023, allegedly.
The majority of Modesto would not have known of the change from public to private property less than 24 hours earlier. We were not kept in the loop.
I get what you are saying about Grover not knowing, perhaps. Grover may have even been told by Gallo or Security that none was on the property. Yet, if that were true Grover was told that, it was still negligent.
Everyone in Modesto connected Beards Brook Park with the Homeless populace. No contractor ought to have thought the switch from one day to another would have made the coast clear, even for wild animals or domestic animals.
MC your wishful thinking is green. Not well thought out. Premature.
I would guess even fencing was not up, nor postings to stop tresspassings. Not that all follow signs, when their is will to sleep when exhausted.
Women generally stay up nights and sleep days when there is daylight. Thus, exhaustion sets in. Beards Brook was a known safe space.
There is no fault to place illigitimately on Christy Chavez. Behave yourself.
If you want someone to fault, blame the city of Modesto, and the Stanislaus co. They had ample time to develop safe spaces where nothing like this ever could happen. This is a huge lesson for local gov’t. Even though this is not the first lesson. Slow learners are blame worthy. The injured are the victims.
To bring up a point about trespassing. Do you know where the name Stanislaus originated from? This land was trespassed upon and taken from First Nation People’s. The chief in these parts was Stanislaus.
The First Nation Groups slept out free on the land, in tents, until they were swept off their land, herded onto reservations, and starved. At the very least they were given reservations to dwell on and left to decide themselves how to live with what they had left.
Swept, much the way the houseless are swept and killed by heavy machinery while sheltering in cardboard boxes trying to find a few degrees more warmth. Research how many homeless have been killed by heavy machinery all across California and the USA while asleep in recent years.
They are citizens who have legal right to the parks. I doubt citizens with homes would be arrested for tresspass in a park, any time of day or night. Or blamed for their own deaths!
I earnestly want to remind local gov’t and citizens, this land was once stolen from rightful owners therefore it is not actually gov’ts say as to who rightfully belongs and who does not. Those with or without homes are Sovereign Ctizns.
It is known by many, people with names ending in ‘ez’, such as Chavez, Martinez that they are of a Chosen Nation which also slept in tents.
Have we become so refined that we think tents are beneath us? Too goody that we can cover over a death, and stand silently by as local folks hash out who is at fault?
I am not at all willing to revise history. People came and slept in and under tent covered wagons to locate a spread of land that was never in God’s eyes going to be theirs. Almighty God instituted Jubilee years. Every 50 years all property was returned to the tribe who originally owned it 50 years earlier. All was cyclical. Interesting that Almighty God used the name Tribes. First Nations People Groups were named Tribes. Yes, none can erase His story of Indigenous Peoples Groups roaming the land. You can remove a person off the land, try to privatise it, act like the thieves are the good ones, BUT the score runs deep. Man was never meant to be cooped up inside walls. You cannot take the native out of the heart of God’s Chosen. Deeds are merely pieces of tree bark and wood pulp. Just as Treaty’s were made to be broken.
Can we get some cries from the wilderness? Christy Chavez’s family shall see her again made whole. Bless them.
I’m sorry I find it very hard to believe that a family member was picking up body parts.
First off the Modesto Police Department is not incompetent and I find it hard to believe they did not investigate the incident. Also, where has her family been before this now all of a sudden this happens and it’s tragic accident now they’re coming out of the woodwork.
Lisa: There are many photos of the body parts picked up by family members.
lots of crime to unpack here… Gallo should get ANYTHING from the city but more tax
Was it a city worker or a Gallo henchman driving the mower ??
Wow…as a member of the human race – not local to the area where this crime against humanity occurred, and I’ve no affiliations with LE nor Gallo – and having simply stumbled across this heart-wrenching story over my morning coffee…my message is to Christy’s family and all who loved her.
I cannot imagine your pain. I do not come with judgement nor remedy. Today, as Christy was your daughter, sister, or friend, she is now family and/or friend to many who never met her. Alongside you and all who grieve her absence, I join you and I grieve. I am not alone in saying if I had a magic wand, I would frantically and ceaselessly wave it over all affected individuals. May God heal you each and restore your hearts to original purity. Forgiveness is a gift to oneself. Christy’s story has touched this stranger and I will not soon forget this tragedy.
The 9th District Court case could be piggy backed off of since Modesto and Modesto businesses have repeatedly not followed the 9th District’s LEGAL decisions. It all adds up and follow’s suit!
Christy Chavez’s heinous demise has gone viral. Multiple news coverages. In one photo, I was able to zoom in, to a sign posted.
The sign said: “No Trespassing Beyond This Point.” Neither Modesto, County, or Gallo had changed signage yet, perhaps.
Christy Chavez was NOT a trespasser. Without posted signs police can not legally charge anyone as a trespasser.
this is a very different accident that happened and i am so very sorry for her loss and the family loss. now it seems like the mower was angry and wanted them off his property, now thats my opinion, if im wrong forgive me. now yes family is heart broken and wish they could of done more for her, but when one is dealing with mental health issues and drugs and alcohol and all that family has no control over that individual, they try to shower her with food gifts and clothes and such and love but when a person is dealing with other things in their minds that stuff means nothing to them.
rest in peace lady and may the law do whats right with respect even if you was homeless.
[…] people and issues for The Valley Citizen goes back years, wrote that Chavez’s father “carried shattered pieces of bone in a small plastic bag.” Her father told Fox News that he recovered “pieces of her skull and […]
[…] people and issues for The Valley Citizen goes back years, wrote that Chavez’s father “carried shattered pieces of bone in a small plastic bag.” Her father told Fox News that he recovered “pieces of her skull and […]
Why is it the writer of this article has chosen to use “Unhoused” only in the title to the article yet uses the term “homeless” seven times in the article?
In an attempt to try to use a more current and often seen less judgemental term in the title he forgot to continue his use of this word and reverted back to the more historically commonly used term.
JOHN Q:
Face it, both words are commonly interchanged.
I am certain every reader knew exactly who the author was speaking of.
If it makes you feel any different, other replys, over the months, have asked not to use the word “homeless.”
Now, it appears that is what you mean, you want
I tried for a while to stop, yet I read “homelessness” over and over all over, everywhere, it sticks in my noggin.
No one is being derogatory. Especially not intentionally.
Apologize, if it rubs you wrong. I get your point.
Send in a list of best words to use, I will tack it up next to my screen, k?