CA - Rhonda McClain, 41, found dead in bathtub, Apple Valley, 7 March 2011

The investigation began on March 7, 2011, when at about 5:50 p.m. dispatch received a call from a man saying he found his girlfriend, 41-year-old Rhonda McClain, submerged and unconscious in the bathtub, a San Bernardino County sheriff's news release stated.

Deputies who reported to the scene were suspicious and called homicide investigators. An autopsy revealed the woman had Benadryl in her system and concluded the woman drowned.

More than three years later on Tuesday, Aug. 26, investigators interviewed the boyfriend, 50-year-old Raphael Ubaldo Chavez, and after the interview, they arrested him on suspicion of murder.

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A March 7, 2011 cold case of the murder of a beautiful, lively, fun-loving mother of two is finally is being brought to the forefront after the mother of the victim’s family plead with the detectives to take another look at her daughter’s case...

Rhonda had met Raphael at an appointment at the office where he had worked and after that the two had a year-long relationship. The family and friends of Rhonda felt that the relationship was immediately and totally controlled by Chavez. Rhonda had moved in with Chavez in March 2010, surprisingly sending the 5-year-old daughter whom she adored to live with her ex-husband, who lived about 40 minutes from her new home...

The family was aware, prior to her death that Chavez had been practicing his medical skills on her outside of the office by removing a tattoo on her finger and giving her steroid shots so she could gain weight. Adams said, “In Rhonda’s cell phone there is a message to her from Rafael where he states, “I don’t hate both of your children, just one of them.” The family... assumes he meant Brittany, her outspoken and confident adult daughter, since she was honest about her not-so-pleasant feelings about Chavez from the beginning of their relationship.

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Former Apple Valley physician’s assistant, Rafael Ubaldo Chavez, as part of an October 1st decision, will be held to stand trial for the 2011 murder of his then-girlfriend, Rhonda Desha McClain.

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Victorvillevixen said:

I am Rhonda's mom. It's been a difficult road that our family has had to tread and, unfortunately, it's not over yet. There has been one continuance after another, plus several changes in ADA's. God willing, we are set to (finally) go to trial on June 18, 2018. In view of the time lapse since his arrest (August 2014), I am greatly concerned as to its outcome. He made (1 million dollar) bail 4 days after his arrest and has been a free man all this time. I want to thank everyone for their kind words, and for concern over me and the wretched tumor. I am pleased to say that I had brain surgery on January 17, 2017 and am now tumor free. Please continue to pray for our family as we strive to bring an end to all of this.

Click to expand...

Victorvillevixen said:

I am Rhonda's mom. It's been a difficult road that our family has had to tread and, unfortunately, it's not over yet. There has been one continuance after another, plus several changes in ADA's. God willing, we are set to (finally) go to trial on June 18, 2018. In view of the time lapse since his arrest (August 2014), I am greatly concerned as to its outcome. He made (1 million dollar) bail 4 days after his arrest and has been a free man all this time. I want to thank everyone for their kind words, and for concern over me and the wretched tumor. I am pleased to say that I had brain surgery on January 17, 2017 and am now tumor free. Please continue to pray for our family as we strive to bring an end to all of this.

Click to expand...