Felton man charged with murder of girlfriend

A Felton man was arrested for allegedly beating his girlfriend to death on Sunday night.
Richard Arthur Chavez, 40, was charged today with murder after his girlfriend, 37-year-old Deanna Dudley, died from fatal injuries she suffered during an argument at a 600-square foot duplex on Rose Acres Lane in Felton.
Dudley was struck many times with a blunt weapon, according to a press release from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Crime scene investigators at the scene began removing items from the home on Monday afternoon, including a headboard and cardboard boxes splattered with blood.
On Sunday, Feb. 28 Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to check on a domestic disturbance after neighbors called for help at around 8:40 p.m.
At the house, police found the couple and Dudley had major head injuries but was still breathing. She was pronounced dead after being transported by paramedics to Dominican Hospital.
Chavez was arrested at the house Sunday night around 9 p.m. and remained in jail Monday morning with a bail of $770,000.
Read the full story in the March 5 Press-Banner.