Authorities search for Stephen Chaney, who disappeared ahead of his murder trial in the death of ex-girlfriend Claudia Leiva

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities are trying to locate a man who disappeared during his own murder trial.

According to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Stephen Chaney was out on bond.

He appeared for jury selection, but cut off his ankle monitor a day before testimony was to begin.

The trial continued without him and he was convicted in the August 2020 killing of Claudia Leiva, 21, who was found shot to death near a dumpster at a condo complex at 102 West Rosamond St.

According to court records, Leiva filed a report with Houston police just days before her death, claiming a man was stalking her.

He said it was Chaney, and he was driving a gray Chevrolet Trailblazer.

Chaney was charged with Leiva’s murder in October 2022.

Court records indicate Chaney was caught on video dragging her body out of her Trailblazer.

He was not initially arrested and went on the run.

During that time, he was indicted in Louisiana for allegedly harassing another woman, his pregnant girlfriend, who claims Chaney lied about who she was and gave a false name.

Court records allege that on one occasion, in May 2022, he threatened to kill her once he left.

Later that month, Chaney was arrested for Leiva’s murder.

According to records, Chaney posted his $100,000 bond on March 27, 2023.

Just two days later, Harris County learned of the alleged out-of-state crimes and sent Chaney back to Louisiana.

He was arraigned and returned to Harris County, where he was allowed to remain on bond, according to the district attorney’s office.

Chaney, now a convicted murderer, is nowhere to be found, and justice for the victims is still at stake.

Pre-trial services found that the night he returned home he removed the ankle monitor. His lawyers started calling him, but there was no answer.

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