Update: Police Say Ex-County Ethics Chairman Killed Himself; Chavez Faced Sex Assault Charge

Update: The El Paso Police Department’s Crimes Against Person’s unit has identified the dead man found at the Upper Valley home of David Charles Chavez as that of Chavez. Police had previously said the person had died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police are continuing to investigate the unattended death. Chavez was the county ethics commission chairman until he resigned early last month when he was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a female family member from the time she was 10 until she was 15.

Previous Story: By Gaby Loria / ABC-7 Reporter

David Charles Chavez, the former county ethics commission chairman recently charged in the alleged rape of a family member, is dead according to his lawyer Stuart Leeds.

Neighbors told ABC-7 Chavez had been living alone at the Upper Valley home since he was charged last month with aggravated sexual assault of a family member.

Police said the deceased died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. The body was found on the back porch. The Medical Examiner still needs to officially identify the body and next of kin still needed to be notified as of Sunday night.

“The police officer told me that they determined that Mr. Chavez did expire,” Leeds said in an interview outside Chavez’s home Sunday afternoon.

Neighbors told ABC-7 they heard a gunshot at about 6 a.m. Saturday morning and one neighbor decided to check on Chavez at about 10:30 a.m.. Police were called out to the home shortly after.

Leeds said his client had been preparing his defense in the case.

“Basically this is the result of people convicting him before he’s actually had his day in court and the mob mentality,” Leeds said.

Chavez, 63, was arrested last month for allegedly sexually assaulting the family member repeatedly from the time she was 10 until she was 15.

The affidavit states Chavez did not use condoms with the girl and that she is pregnant. The affidavit did not state if Chavez impregnated her.

Chavez also was served with a protective order in the case.

It is ABC-7’s policy not to report on suicides, but have decided to do so based on the nature of this case.