Jorge Albert Chavez, 30, was booked into the El Paso County Jail on Tuesday after being arrested on Interstate 20 near Reeves County while trying to flee the scene. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office shared a video of officers escorting Chavez, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, into the downtown jail.
Before the alleged stabbing, police records indicate that Chavez had a history of violence against his girlfriend. A police report reveals that on August 11, 2024, Chavez assaulted 27-year-old Dafne Michelle Davila after accusing her of witchcraft. The report states that during a drinking session at Chavez’s parents’ home, an argument broke out over these accusations. Davila attempted to de-escalate the situation by going to the bathroom, but when she emerged, Chavez confronted her about some damage to the walls, leading to a heated argument outside.
Once outside, Davila reported that Chavez punched and kicked her in the chest, pulled her hair, and slammed the front door on her left arm. He then took her car keys and drove away. The deputies noted redness and swelling on Davila’s forearm, but she declined medical attention.
Chavez was arrested on November 11 and charged with assault causing bodily injury to a family member, with a bond set at $1,500. He was released the same day after posting bail.
As of Tuesday, Chavez is being held in the El Paso County Jail on a $1 million bond, facing murder charges for allegedly stabbing Davila to death and fleeing to Reeves County. In his latest mugshot, a tattoo of her name, “Dafne,” is visible on his neck.
Davila’s family believes her murder was the tragic result of ongoing domestic abuse in their relationship. A family member shared, “She wasn’t ready to leave, she had many plans,” adding that she wanted to go back to school and open her own beauty salon. The family noted that they saw several incidents of domestic abuse but that the relationship continued.
Davila’s mother is urging other women in similar situations to speak out against domestic violence. Tragically, Davila was killed while celebrating her birthday early. According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, she was murdered early Sunday morning on Zinc Place in far east El Paso County. Deputies arrived around 3:30 a.m. to find Davila severely injured, with Chavez seen leaving the scene. She was taken to the hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries.
Chavez was apprehended through the collaborative efforts of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Reeves County Sheriff’s Office. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office’s Fugitive Apprehension unit brought him back to El Paso, where he was charged and booked.
Following Chavez’s extradition, newly elected Sheriff Oscar Ugarte released a statement urging people in the borderland to seek help if they are victims of domestic violence. Ugarte said, “This tragedy reminds us of the devastating impact domestic violence has on our community. Thanks to the strong collaboration between our partnering agencies, we were able to quickly locate and apprehend the suspect. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please seek help—there are resources available to provide support and safety.”
According to Davila’s family, she would have turned 28 on January 9.
