The 35-year-old father, who was arrested Saturday, is accused of killing his 32-year-old wife, Amber Guichelaar, who was pregnant with their third child. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The DeGraafs are determined to honor Amber, and God, by helping others. In a statement released by the school district, officials described her death as a tragic loss for the community. In February this year, 36-year-old Guichelaar pleaded guilty. 2022 Associated Press. Through the way she loved her family, friends, and students. First published on April 29, 2022 / 9:36 AM. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his "sorrow, remorse and regret" for what happened. "Mugshot unavailable": A mugshot may or may have not been taken by authorities. A man who strangled his pregnant wife has been sentenced to at least 33 years in prison. He was crying and sounded distressed. A faithful Christian, Amber Guichelaar was three days shy of her 33rd birthday when she died. None of the versions added up, according to family and friends. The assistant prosecutor, Wurstman, said its common for domestic violence survivors to hide the abuse. The only person at home at the time of the crime who was physically capable of causing the fatal injuries was Guichelaar. She could always make you laugh. Later in the six-minute 911 call, the emergency dispatcher asked if there were any children in the home. Outside the courtroom the day of the plea, there was an incredible show of grace as Amy DeGraaf hugged Richard Guichelaars father, George Guichelaar. Her sister told the detective that she knew the couple had a physical fight several years earlier but thought things had gotten better. His attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. The question whether the person is under arrest or not depends not on the legality of the arrest, but on whether the person has been deprived of personal liberty of movement. Amber Guichelaar previously taught Spanish at South Christian High School where her father-in-law, George Guichelaar, formerly served as principal. Ambers family have spoken out and want her story shared so that other women can escape abusive relationships before its too late. arrest? 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. Official Record was collected She was one of a kind, honestly. When paramedics arrived, Amber was pronounced dead three days before her 33rd birthday. Her notebook pages documented the struggles she was having with her husband, Richard Guichelaar. For latest case status, contact the official Law Enforcement Agency which originally released the information. Tragic Amber Guichelaar's words would help lock up the brute who strangled her. Guichelaar worked for a landscaping and snow ploughing company, and while outside of the house he couldnt do enough to help. Her cause of death was listed as pending on the death certificate as recently as this past week. However, she continued to smile and make out that everything was fine. I dont know why that happened. The husband of a pregnant Michigan teacher who was strangled to death inside her home in November has beencharged with murderin the grisly attack. 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. So people only got to see, I think, little glimpses of the bad things about him and, unfortunately, I dont think they realized how bad it was getting.. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. An autopsy would later determine that the mother had injuries consistent with an assault which occurred just prior to her death, according to the affidavit. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. This has been a difficult time for the Kentwood family, the students, staff, and ultimately the involved families, the statement said. / CW50 Detroit. He was also on medication for mental health issues hed developed after suffering concussions that made him prone to angry outbursts. . Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Man Sentenced to 33 Years in Prison for Killing Wife, Richard Guichelaar stands with his attorney Chip Chamberlain while looking at Judge Mark Trusock during Guichelaar's sentencing hearing at the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his "sorrow, remorse and regret" for what happened. My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do. "Amber's sister Brittany will be taking care of the girls and their future! A graduate of Calvin College, Amber Guichelaar began her career teaching Spanish at South Christian High School for four years, she wrote in an essay on Prezi in 2014. My wife isnt breathing, he sobbed, stumbling to get his words out. That just wasnt what he did, Wustman explained to News 8. Hell throw things, hell punch things, hell yeah, he just rage, rage.'. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The couple had two young children, and Amber was pregnant with a third child when she died. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do, she wrote. Wustman, the assistant prosecutor, talked about the valuable information Amber Guichelaars friends and family provided. Add a Memory This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Richard Guichelaar, 35, was . When Ambers sister asked by text what she wanted for her birthday, she replied, a new husband.. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The imbalance of duties sometimes prompted fights, according to one of the close friends. Subscribe to ourYouTube channel. Amber Guichelaar was the mother of two young children and was pregnant with the couples third child when she died,MLive reports. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. Richard Guichelaar later told Kentwood police he had slept on a downstairs couch that night because the couples bedroom was too hot. "I felt as if it were what God was calling me to do. "There's just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. The mugshots and/or arrest records published on mugshots.com are in no way an indication of guilt and they are not evidence that an actual crime has been committed. Ambers family and friends also said Guichelaars version of events kept changing. Amber Guichelaar described her passion for teaching in a. 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The pills also reportedly made him angry, so he took them right before bed, and, if the girls awakened in the night, Amber Guichelaar made sure she jumped up to care for them. Brittany explained the medications he takes for mental health issues knocked him out at night. April 29, 2022 / 9:36 AM He declined to discuss the allegations against his son to the news outlet but did say that he and his wife were grieving the loss of their daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild. The dispatcher asked if he thought that Amber was beyond being saved. Did you strangle your wife and kill her? the judge asked him. "Kentwood Police detectives believed that the cause of her death was suspicious," Litwin wrote in the release. All Rights Reserved. Richard James Guichelaar, 35, was arrested Saturday and booked into the jail. Police records reveal it was Amber Guichelaars own words that helped expose her husbands murderous rage. I do, he said. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to . call or text Safe Haven Ministries anytime at 616.452.6664. Company. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. He is dangerous and I have literally thought to myself, am I safe asleep next to him? 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. A 76-year-old woman accused of fatally shooting her terminally ill husband in a Florida hospital was released from jail, New York City police are continuing their search for a suspect wearing a full-body protective suit who shot and killed a convenience store worker in the citys Upper East Side, Gas prices dipped in New Jersey but edged up around the nation as a whole amid increased demand and stable crude oil prices. Theres just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. (The friend) did not know of any physical violence between Richard and Amber. RICHARD JAMES GUICHELAAR. He was credited with serving 475 days in jail. 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. | Privacy For some reason, she chose to stay in a situation that obviously cost her her life, and that is the mystery of Ambers story and the unknown of Ambers story but also of domestic violence and domestic abuse in itself. (Daniel Shular/The Grand Rapids Press via AP) The Associated Press. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted. 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. Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her Kentwood home in November 2020. The couples children were ages 2 and 3. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. The 32-year-old was a committed Christian who had been inspired by the church mission trips she had experienced while growing up. All rights reserved. In April this year, Guichelaar was sentenced and made a brief statement. Amber Guichelaar, 32, died Nov. 16 at the home she shared with her husband at 1432 Andrew SE in Kentwood. 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.. What you did to your wife, your children, to the family of Amber and her friends, is beyond comprehension, quite frankly, he said. What Will Alex Murdaughs New Life Behind Bars Be Like? I am sorry, George, DeGraaf said tearfully. He has not yet entered a plea and remains held in jail until his next court date, scheduled for Jan. 21. Ambers sister, who had stayed with the couple, revealed that Guichelaar usually slept downstairs when they argued and wouldnt have woken to the sound of his baby crying due to medication he was taking. Man breaks down at sentencing hearing for killing his pregnant wife 18,145 views Apr 28, 2022 Richard Guichelaar, who killed his pregnant wife Amber Guichelaar in November 2020, was sentenced. Guichelaar's wife, Amber, 32, died Nov. 16 at the couple's home on Andrew Street near Kalamazoo Avenue and 52nd Street. There's none whatsoever.". 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. In February this year, 36-year-old Guichelaar pleaded guilty. Hed also thrown a mug at the TV, smashed her mobiles, broken doors and slammed his fist into the wall. Richard Guichelaar claimed he thought his wife had accidentally strangled herself. 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. Sign up forPEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Her cause of death was determined by the medical examiner as the result of strangulation/asphyxiation.. Amber was married to Richard Guichelaar. Shes purple, and shes not breathing.. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. "Did you strangle your wife and kill her?". "This has been a difficult time for the Kentwood family, the students, staff, and ultimately the involved families," Kentwood Public Schools said in a statement. Amber Guichelaar met Richard Guichelaar when she taught Spanish at South Christian High School, where his father was principal. An autopsy revealed that she had died from asphyxiation and the medical examiner determined she couldnt have done it herself. It was the last time anyone outside of her home saw her alive, according to local station. The medical examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled Amber Guichelaar's death a homicide by strangulation/asphyxiation, according to the affidavit. (She) said she had has had hundreds of sleepovers at Ambers house and she said that they would never set the thermostat that night, the report continued. Wustman added that Richard Guichelaar changed details of his story. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Richard Guichelaar stands with his attorney Chip Chamberlain while looking at Judge Mark Trusock during Guichelaar's sentencing hearing at the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Thursday, April 28, 2022. The papers appeared to have been there for a while and a liquid had been spilled on them so some of the writing was no longer legible, the report continued. Richard said, I was waiting, waiting, waiting and waiting. Richard Guichelaar, who strangled his pregnant wife, a well-liked teacher in the Grand Rapids area, was sentenced Thursday to at least 33 years in prison. On Thursday, Richard Guichelaar was sentenced to the longest prison term allowed by guidelines a minimum of about 33 years and a maximum 100. That by speaking out and sharing Ambers story, if someone is in a relationship like this, please know it could cost you your life and please, please seek help.. 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. My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things, Guichelaar said. 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. All rights reserved. I think the hard part is, Amber did a really good job of covering for him, Wustman said. Grand Rapids, MI A Kentwood man is in the Kent County jail, facing a charge of open murder in the death of his pregnant wife. After completing an autopsy, the medical examiner ruled Ambers death a homicide by strangulation/asphyxiation, according to court documents. A release said the suspect is expected to be arraigned on Monday. He was charged with second-degree murder and intentionally assaulting a pregnant woman. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. My wife isnt breathing, he told a dispatcher, stumbling over his words amid panicked sobs. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Ga. 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The sister of Amber Guichelaar, who had been just three days shy of her 33, birthday, had reportedly talked to her via Facetime around 8:30 p.m. the night before she died. She noted she decided to major in Spanish after a mission trip to Guatemala following her freshman year in college. But it seemed like a very unlikely explanation. He suggested that Amber had accidentally strangled herself. The couple had two daughters, aged two and eight months, and Amber was pregnant again. Two days later, Amber Guichelaar was dead and police had a prime suspect in her husband. on 1/11/2021. The neighbors sued the Guichelaar family and were granted a $501,000 settlement in February of 2020. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Though Amber Guichelaar wrote notes documenting her husbands abuse, its clear those papers were a secret dairy. Example video title will go here for this video. He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his sorrow, remorse and regret for what happened. Because prosecutors could not prove premeditation, they charged him with second-degree murder instead of first, as well as intentionally assaulting a pregnant person. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. (Daniel Shular/The Grand Rapids Press via AP), Woman Accused of Killing Ill Husband Released From Jail, NYC Police Seek Suspect in Hazmat Suit After Shooting Death, Gas Prices Dip in NJ, Edge up Around Nation at Large. - Merriam Webster dictionary. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. But Kentwood Police detectives believed that the death looked suspicious, authorities said. The assistant prosecutor told Target 8 she doesnt know why the violence turned deadly that night in November, nor whether Richard Guichelaar had planned to kill his wife. Amber explained that Guichelaar controlled every conversation and that he did nothing to help her around the house. The mere questions and/or reports presented on this website about a possible arrest of a person are not an implication of an actual arrest. It was a shocking record of the abuse shed suffered and it was heartbreaking to know that she had kept it all to herself. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. KENTWOOD, Mich. An autopsy of a Kentwood Public Schools teacher, Amber Guichelaar, who was found dead in November, showed injuries consistent with an assault that happened just before her. PRISON GATES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE SWING OPEN, https://www.woodtv.com/news/target-8/kentwood-man-charged-with-murder-. Grand Rapids, MI A Kentwood man is in the Kent County jail, facing a charge of open murder in the death of his pregnant wife. Still, despite Richard Guichelaars violent history, it seems no one considered he might kill his wife. She was found dead on her bed under what police have described as "suspicious" circumstances, according to a statement from the Kentwood Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family as they cope with this tragedy.". On the night his wife died, Richard Guichelaar called 911 at about 3:30 a.m. to report that he had found her dead in their bed, according to the probable cause affidavit obtained by MLive.com and WOOD. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 28K views 9 months ago #domesticviolence Richard Guichelaar of Michigan recently was sentenced to 33 years in prison for his wife Amber's murder. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The district said it had been cooperating with law enforcement officials as part of the investigation. In an essay published online in 2014, Amber wrote about why she became a teacher. 13 On Your Side Forecast: Snowfall Moves Out, Nicer Weekend Ahead! Plus, he never got up for the children he always left it to Amber. In a letter to News 8, Amber Guichelaars sister, Brittany said, she was truly one of the greatest humans I have ever encountered. Amber Guichelaar described her passion for teaching in a 2014 presentation on the Prezi platform. Kentwood Police confirmed Saturday a suspect was charged with open murder in Amber Guichelaars death. 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. He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his "sorrow, remorse and regret" for what happened. Judge Mark Trusock set a maximum release date of 100 years.. Owned and Operated by: Julkisuudessa, Nevis, West Indies. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. After discovering that language could be a barrier for some underprivileged families, she became a teacher and in 2020 she was teaching English as a second language in a middle school near her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During Thursdays sentencing, Trusock described the circumstances of her death. Then, at 3.30am on 16 November, Guichelaar called 911. Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. Data provided to our visitors is estimated and may not be accurate. (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. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. Theres none whatsoever.. The word "booked", when used by mugshots.com, is identical in meaning to the word "arrest". Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023).