The victims mother, Amy DeGraaf, spoke at the sentencing and asked the judge to consider the two young children. he wants (them) to believe, Dykgraaf wrote. My wife isnt breathing, he told a dispatcher, stumbling over his words amid panicked sobs. 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. 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. Ambers family have spoken out and want her story shared so that other women can escape abusive relationships before its too late. He suggested that Amber had accidentally strangled herself. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. He was crying and sounded distressed. KENTWOOD, Mich. - A Grand Rapids -area teacher pregnant with a third child was strangled by her husband, authorities said Monday as they filed a murder charge. Guichelaar has pleaded guilty plea for second-degree murder and. Amber Guichelaar met Richard Guichelaar when she taught Spanish at South Christian High School, where his father was principal. Richard Guichelaar, 36, was sentenced Thursday, April 28 in Kent County Circuit Court to a minimum 33 years, four months in prison. The tragic killing happened in November. When Ambers sister asked by text what she wanted for her birthday, she replied, a new husband.. Richard James Guichelaar entered a guilty plea in the strangling death of his pregnant wife, 32-year-old Amber Guichelaar. Plus, he never got up for the children he always left it to Amber. Guichelaar called 911 to report finding his wife dead in . The couple had two young children, and Amber was pregnant with a third child when she died. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Her children were her everything.. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Her notebook pages documented the struggles she was having with her husband, Richard Guichelaar. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. Both parents told Dykgraaf they were scared because Richard Guichelaar was staying with them while police investigated. . 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. 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. Richard Guichelaar was arrested and booked into . As her husband awaits his next court date, Amber Guichelaar's family, friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of the middle school teacher. WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE / CW50 Detroit. She later moved to the Kentwood Public Schools where she taught students learning English as a second language. My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things, Guichelaar said. Mugshot - A photograph of usually a person's head and especially face; specifically : a police photograph of a suspect's face or profile." The neighbors sued the Guichelaar family and were granted a $501,000 settlement in February of 2020. Last updated on 1/11/2021, All original material at this website is subject to copyright. 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. The appearance of the likeness and/or name of any person on mugshots.com is not an allegation by mugshots.com that the person has in fact engaged in any of the activities or crimes for which they have been charged. Shes purple, and shes not breathing.. However, they appeared to be notes that Amber had written about Richard, one of which said, He isnt someone I want around my children. 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. The word "booked", when used by mugshots.com, is identical in meaning to the word "arrest". Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. She could turn a negative situation into something fun and something happy, and that joy was contagious.. The term is Anglo-Norman in origin and is related to the French word arrt, meaning "stop". Target 8 used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain investigative reports compiled by detectives from the Kentwood Police Department. Whether it was teaching pupils at the local school or raising her own children, Amber Guichelaar was devoted to shaping young lives. Published mugshots and/or arrest records are previously published public records of: an arrest, an indictment, a registration, supervision or probation, the deprivation of liberty or a detention. First published on April 29, 2022 / 9:36 AM. 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. I think its mainly because I love being around people, and I love learning.. You killed her intentionally, Kent County Judge Mark Trusock said. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. (The friend) stated the most recent fight she could think of was during the initial COVID 19 outbreak when everything was locked down and everyone was quarantined in the house together. (The friend) did not know of any physical violence between Richard and Amber. My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things, Guichelaar said. 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. BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. All information published by mugshots.com is believed to be factually true and correct, and is not intended to malign, disparage, or defame any person named herein. He was also on medication for mental health issues hed developed after suffering concussions that made him prone to angry outbursts. 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. In an essay published online in 2014, Amber wrote about why she became a teacher. Because when tragic Ambers words were finally heard, it was too late for her. Scripps It was after this trip, that I felt God nudging me into going into learning and teaching Spanish, wrote Amber Guichelaar in 2014. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? "My. Theres none whatsoever.. "We rejoice for Amber is with her heavenly father but her two girls are still here," organizer Carley Veltema wrote. Exactly who Amber chose for their care. Suspect charged in death of Kentwood teacher, Arrest made in 2020 death of Kentwood Public Schools teacher. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. Two of Amber Guichelaars close friends spoke with Dykgraaf on the phone 11 days after Amber Guichelaars death to share what they learned from a conversation with Richard Guichelaar. KENTWOOD, MI - A man accused of strangling his pregnant wife, a Kentwood teacher, was ordered held Monday, Jan. 11, on $2 million bond. Richard James Guichelaar, 35, was arrested Saturday and booked into the jail. arrest? My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter, granddaughter. 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. #mugshots, We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our Website. All Rights Reserved. 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. Theres just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. What Will Alex Murdaughs New Life Behind Bars Be Like? 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. All rights reserved. "Did you strangle your wife and kill her?". A release said the suspect is expected to be arraigned on Monday. The mother of two was found dead at her home on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. 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. Asked if he was pleading guilty because he is, Guichelaar told the. 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. Theres none whatsoever.. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. On the night she died, Richard Guichelaar was the only person at home "capable of causing such injuries," the affidavit says. Amber Guichelaars sister, Brittany, reminded those in abusive relationships whether that be physically, mentally, emotionally that there is help in the form of friends, family, church members and a number of professional organizations in West Michigan. Theres just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. You killed her intentionally, Kent County Judge Mark Trusock said. Kentwood Police confirmed Saturday a suspect was charged with open murder in Amber Guichelaars death. Sign up forPEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Guichelaar earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, Amber Guichelaar was the mother of two young children, Man charged in pregnant wifes slaying held on $2 million bond. In a statement released by the school district, officials described her death as a tragic loss for the community. "Kentwood Police detectives believed that the cause of her death was suspicious," Litwin wrote in the release. The girls are now being raised by Amber Guichelaars sister, Brittany, and her husband. My daughters right next to us. Police said Richard Guichelaar was arraigned on the open murder charge against him on Monday in district court. Still, despite Richard Guichelaars violent history, it seems no one considered he might kill his wife. (She) said they asked (Richard) about what happened before they went to bed (the night Amber died) and she said that Richard told her, I will admit, I was really mad it was taking (Amber) so long to wrap things up,' wrote Dykgraf in his report, noting that he was referring to his wife locking up the house before bed. WATCH NOW, Alex Murdaugh: Inside the Mind of a Killer WATCH NOW, Mallory Beachs Family Attorney Speaks to Court TV WATCH NOW, Vermont bishop testifies against clergy reporting bill, Judge suffered the unthinkable just before overseeing Murdaugh case, Judgment of Dr. Jack Kevorkian Court TV Podcast (Episode 176), FL v. Michael Keetley: Ice Cream Man Murder Retrial, Murdaughs fall from grace ends in life sentence for murder, DeSantis takes aim at prosecutor after TV crew attack, Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murdering wife, son, Alex Murdaugh convicted of murder in shootings of wife, son, 2023 Court TV Media LLC, part of The E.W. It was typical of the young mum. 28K views 9 months ago #domesticviolence Richard Guichelaar of Michigan recently was sentenced to 33 years in prison for his wife Amber's murder. 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. He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his "sorrow, remorse and regret" for what happened. She had, I think she had a sweatshirt around her neck and shes not breathing., He said hed found her in her bed in their bedroom. Richard Guichelaar claimed he thought his wife had accidentally strangled herself. At the time of her death, Amber Guichelaar was teaching English as a second language to middle schoolers in the Kentwood Public School District. "In trauma situations, the district and building leadership continue to provide ongoing support to students and staff as they grieve this loss. Mugshots.com makes every effort to insure the accuracy of information posted on this website. Now, nearly two months later, police in Kentwood have arrested her husband, Richard James Guichelaar, 35, of Kentwood, Deputy Chief Bryan Litwin of the Kentwood Police Department announced Saturday in a release. The fact that she would go to the extent of writing those (notes) and that she was trying to deal with it all on her own, and shouldering that all on her own shoulders is just such a heartache for her Dad and I, for her brother and sister, for her friends Sadness and just so many unknowns and just the devastation of what domestic violence can lead to, she said. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do. - Merriam Webster dictionary. Alex Murdaugh: Inside the Mind of a Killer, Mallory Beachs Family Attorney Speaks to Court TV. Cook Funeral and Cremation Services Amber Guichelaar was born on November 19, 1987 and passed away on November 16, 2020 and is under the care of. 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. 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. What you did to your wife, your children, to the family of Amber and her friends, is beyond comprehension, quite frankly, he said. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Richard Guichelaar has pleaded guilty plea for second-degree murder and one count of assault on a pregnant woman causing miscarriage with intent or recklessness. He choked back tears as he acknowledged in open court that he. Amber Guichelaar previously taught Spanish at South Christian High School where her father-in-law, George Guichelaar, formerly served as principal. Through her mission trips over the years, through her teaching years at South Christian & Crestwood Middle School. Some had suffered water damage but it was clear that they were documenting the struggles she was having with her husband. The word "arrest" on Mugshots.com means the apprehension of a person or the deprivation of a person's liberty. Please consider donating for the girls future.". Outside the courtroom the day of the plea, there was an incredible show of grace as Amy DeGraaf hugged Richard Guichelaars father, George Guichelaar. Hell throw things, hell punch things, hell yeah, he just rage, rage.'. Finally, I didnt understand what was going on, so I got up to check on (their daughter) and uh, I saw Amber.'. Arrest or booked: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. Amber Guichelaar described her passion for teaching in a 2014 presentation on the Prezi platform. 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. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Amber also had some abrasions that were not visible when shed had a FaceTime call with her sister just hours earlier. One thing Richard Guichelaar did do, despite his wifes vehement protest, was watch pornography. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree . RICHARD JAMES GUICHELAAR. Guichelaar pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. They are urging anyone who is suffering in silence to reach out and get help. 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. 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. 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. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family as they cope with this tragedy.". She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. "You killed her intentionally," Kent County Judge Mark Trusock said. Its senseless., George Guichelaar told Target 8, Were all just broken by this. 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. KENTWOOD, Mich. 36-year-old Richard Guichelaar admitted to killing his pregnant wife, more than a year after she was found dead. Michigan motherof two Amber Guichelaar, who was pregnant with her third child, was found dead on her bed on November 16. Richard Guichelaar later told Kentwood police he had slept on a downstairs couch that night because the couples bedroom was too hot. Later in the six-minute 911 call, the emergency dispatcher asked if there were any children in the home. I think the hard part is, Amber did a really good job of covering for him, Wustman said. 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. His attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. His bond has been set at $2 million and is scheduled to appear again in court on January 21. This has been a difficult time for the Kentwood family, the students, staff, and ultimately the involved families, the statement said. Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her Kentwood home in November 2020. The medical examiner found "injuries consistent with an assault which occurred just prior to her death," the affidavit shows, WOOD reports. Yes. Amber Guichelaar described her passion for teaching in a. There's none whatsoever.". During Thursdays sentencing, Trusock described the circumstances of her death. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. "My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do," she wrote. He will be eligible for parole consideration after 33 years in custody. on 1/11/2021. redistributed by Mugshots.com and is protected by Nearly two months after his wife was found dead at home, Richard James Guichelaar of Grand Rapid, Michigan, was arrested. On Monday, Richard Guichelaar was arraigned in court on an open murder charge. For latest case status, contact the official Law Enforcement Agency which originally released the information. Ambers family and friends also said Guichelaars version of events kept changing. In April this year, Guichelaar was sentenced and made a brief statement. Amber Guichelaar was the mother of two young children and was pregnant with the couples third child when she died,MLive reports. Guichelaar worked as a teacher at Kentwood Public Schools where she taught English as a second language. (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. Relationships should be free of abuse! Trusock added that he though Guichelaar was a danger to society and that he didnt think he should ever be set free. Hed also thrown a mug at the TV, smashed her mobiles, broken doors and slammed his fist into the wall. Richard said, I was waiting, waiting, waiting and waiting.