Ambers family and friends also said Guichelaars version of events kept changing. Richard James Guichelaar entered a guilty plea in the strangling death of his pregnant wife, 32-year-old Amber Guichelaar. "In trauma situations, the district and building leadership continue to provide ongoing support to students and staff as they grieve this loss. My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do. In February this year, 36-year-old Guichelaar pleaded guilty. She was found dead on her bed under what police have described as suspicious circumstances, according to a statement from the Kentwood Police Department. A lot of people knew that he did have mental illness and that he did take medication for that. Richard Guichelaar, 35, was arraigned on the charge in Kentwood District Court. Richard Guichelaar, 35, of Kentwood is charged with open. Guichelaar's wife, Amber, 32, died Nov. 16 at the couple's home on Andrew Street near Kalamazoo Avenue and 52nd Street. It also confirmed she was pregnant at the time of her death, which occurred three days before her 33rd birthday. Amber talked about the violence shed suffered and even listed Guichelaars angry outbursts. Mom Allegedly Strangled and Dismembered Her, Searched 'How to Get Away with Murder', Teen Who Vanished While Working on Science Project Found Dead in Remote Calif. Woods: 'Devastating News', Beloved Va. Church Elder, 88, Is Mauled to Death by Dog While Walking to Sister's House, Woman Accused of Kidnapping Ashley Bush Allegedly Wanted to Keep the Woman's Unborn Baby as Her Own. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted. Amber explained that Guichelaar controlled every conversation and that he did nothing to help her around the house. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Guichelaar earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Nov. 16, 2020 death of 32-year-old Amber Guichelaar at their Kentwood home. (She) said she had has had hundreds of sleepovers at Ambers house and she said that they would never set the thermostat that night, the report continued. Her husband called 911 around 3:30 a.m. that morning to report that he had found his wife dead on their bed, according to a probable-cause affidavit obtained by the outlet. There's none whatsoever.". Guichelaar worked as a teacher at Kentwood Public Schools where she taught English as a second language. The medical examiner found "injuries consistent with an assault which occurred just prior to her death," the affidavit shows, WOOD reports. Whether it was teaching pupils at the local school or raising her own children, Amber Guichelaar was devoted to shaping young lives. "My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things," Guichelaar said. Mugshots.com makes every effort to insure the accuracy of information posted on this website. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Police: Man dies in fight at Wyoming hotel parking, Mexican AG sacked in wake of bloody prison break, Kent Co. Community Action walks to keep homes heated, 1 hospitalized following Port Sheldon Township crash, I see you, Jaylyn Boones journey to success, Bill Steffen T-shirts launched by The Mitten State. 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. . I think the hard part is, Amber did a really good job of covering for him, Wustman said. Reaching out and letting someone know may free you of the loneliness, shame, isolation, fear that you feel due to the abuse of your abuser, Brittany wrote. After discovering that language could be a barrier for some underprivileged families, she became a teacher and in 2020 she was teaching English as a second language in a middle school near her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. redistributed by Mugshots.com and is protected by Richard Guichelaar, 35, who was arrested on Saturday, has been charged with open murder in the November 16 death of his wife, 32-year-old Amber Guichelaar. The DeGraafs are determined to honor Amber, and God, by helping others. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family as they cope with this tragedy.". 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. KENTWOOD, Mich. A Kentwood man accused of killing a pregnant teacher has admitted guilt. Wustman added that Richard Guichelaar changed details of his story. Man Sentenced to 33 Years in Prison for Killing Wife, 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. He told the judge that he was unable to find words to express his "sorrow, remorse and regret" for what happened. 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. Guichelaar told police hed slept downstairs on the sofa that night as their bedroom was too hot, and he was woken by the sound of their baby crying. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. Last updated on 1/11/2021, All original material at this website is subject to copyright. Sign up forPEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Trusock sentenced Richard Guichelaar to between 33 years, 4 months and 100 years in prison for killing his pregnant wife Amber Guichelaar in November 2020. 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. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. According to the detective on the case, Ambers husband was the only person home at the time of her death who was physically capable of causing the injuries that led to her death. Amber Guichelaar, 32, died Nov. 16 at the home she shared with her husband at 1432 Andrew SE in Kentwood. He will be eligible for parole consideration after 33 years in custody. I need you to take her out of the room and shut the door, OK?. Theres just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. Everyone was certain he had killed her and were relieved when he was arrested in January 2021. Guichelaar has pleaded guilty plea for second-degree murder and one count of assault on a pregnant woman causing miscarriage with intent or recklessness. Amber definitely was a child of God, said her mom, Amy DeGraaf, in a recent interview with Target 8. 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. He choked back tears as he acknowledged in open court that he intentionally strangled his wife and knew she was pregnant at the time. The only person at home at the time of the crime who was physically capable of causing the fatal injuries was Guichelaar. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Richard Guichelaar, who strangled his pregnant wife, a well-liked teacher in the Grand Rapids area, was sentenced Thursday to at least 33 years in prison. Amber Guichelaar was the mother of two young children and was pregnant with the couples third child when she died. The mystery of why does someone choose to stay when it could cost them their life? Amy DeGraaf said. However, at home he frustrated Amber with how little he helped her out with the family. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. However, they appeared to be notes that Amber had written about Richard, one of which said, He isnt someone I want around my children. Amber Guichelaar was pregnant with her third child when she was killed. Judge Mark Trusock set a maximum release date of 100 years. #mugshots, We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our Website. I think it's mainly because I love being around people, and I love learning.". Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. Guichelaar worked for a landscaping and snow ploughing company, and while outside of the house he couldnt do enough to help. In April this year, Guichelaar was sentenced and made a brief statement. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Ambers family have spoken out and want her story shared so that other women can escape abusive relationships before its too late. She later moved to the Kentwood Public Schools where she taught students learning English as a second language. 13 On Your Side Forecast: Snowfall Moves Out, Nicer Weekend Ahead! The imbalance of duties sometimes prompted fights, according to one of the close friends. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Richard Guichelaar, 35, charged with open murder for strangulation death of his pregnant wife, Amber Guichelaar, 32, in November 2020. KENTWOOD, Mich. An autopsy of a Kentwood Public Schools teacher, Amber Guichelaar, who was found dead in November, showed injuries consistent with an assault that happened just before her. All Rights Reserved. Exactly who Amber chose for their care. Owned and Operated by: Julkisuudessa, Nevis, West Indies. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. 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. While she had confessed secretly on paper, Amber was trying to deal with it all alone. Task force: Systems need better understanding of domestic violence lethality factors, Safe Haven Ministries: What keeps people in abusive relationships, Safe Haven Ministries: Recognizing domestic violence, Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, Honest toddler helps Kentucky police arrest wanted, Feds upgrading inspection technology at ports of, 1 arrested after robbing GR Meijer with pepper spray, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at, Consumers: No widespread outages expected in storm, After 126 years, U.P.s only private college to close, Parent alert: Teens dying by suicide amid sextortion, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do, she wrote. In trauma situations, the district and building leadership continue to provide ongoing support to students and staff as they grieve this loss. "We rejoice for Amber is with her heavenly father but her two girls are still here," organizer Carley Veltema wrote. On one of the pieces of paper, wrote Dykgraaf in his report, she listed off the following: -He has beaten me-Kicked and punched (blotted) me-Threw a mug (blotted words) big screen TV-Smashed my cell phones-Punched glass shower door-Broken four doors-Smashed counter w/ hammer-Punched hole in the wall. My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter, granddaughter. What he said made him finally wake up and get up was hearing the baby cry and, again, (Ambers) sister said he never got up with the baby. call or text Safe Haven Ministries anytime at 616.452.6664. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. It was the last time anyone outside of her home saw her alive, according to local station. April 29, 2022 / 9:36 AM Trusock called it a brutal and senseless murder. 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. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. Some had suffered water damage but it was clear that they were documenting the struggles she was having with her husband. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. Do not let your abuser hurt you anymore. And the bedroom had been hot because the thermostat was set at 25.5C it had never been set that high before. Richard Guichelaar, 35, who was arrested on Saturday, has been charged with open murder in the November 16 death of his wife, 32-year-old Amber Guichelaar. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. He was crying and sounded distressed. "My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do," she wrote. Alex Murdaugh: Inside the Mind of a Killer, Mallory Beachs Family Attorney Speaks to Court TV. Tragic Amber Guichelaar's words would help lock up the brute who strangled her. Shes purple, and shes not breathing.. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The assistant prosecutor, Wurstman, said its common for domestic violence survivors to hide the abuse. He said he waited for Amber to give the baby a dummy but the baby kept crying, so he went upstairs to check on them and found Amber dead. Amber Guichelaar went on to document the violence she had endured at the hands of her husband Richard Guichelaar, 39. Theres none whatsoever.. She was found dead on her bed under what police have described as suspicious circumstances, according to. No. She was rooted in Jesus Christ and her actions and words proved that. Wustman, the assistant prosecutor, talked about the valuable information Amber Guichelaars friends and family provided. Amber would admit privately to friends that his mood swings resulted in him breaking things. 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. Hed also thrown a mug at the TV, smashed her mobiles, broken doors and slammed his fist into the wall. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to . Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her Kentwood home in November 2020. In a statement released by the school district, officials described her death as a tragic loss for the community. A faithful Christian, Amber Guichelaar was three days shy of her 33rd birthday when she died. He was also on medication for mental health issues hed developed after suffering concussions that made him prone to angry outbursts. OK? the dispatcher instructed. Richard Guichelaar later told Kentwood police he had slept on a downstairs couch that night because the couples bedroom was too hot. He choked back tears as he acknowledged in open court that he. "You killed her intentionally," Kent County Judge Mark Trusock said. The judge has indicated the sentence will fall within the guidelines. Amber also had some abrasions that were not visible when shed had a FaceTime call with her sister just hours earlier. Theres just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. He will be eligible for parole consideration after 33 years in custody. Two days later, Amber Guichelaar was dead and police had a prime suspect in her husband. First published on April 29, 2022 / 9:36 AM. The Guichelaars 8-month-old daughter slept in a crib in their bedroom. Theres none whatsoever.. 28K views 9 months ago #domesticviolence Richard Guichelaar of Michigan recently was sentenced to 33 years in prison for his wife Amber's murder. Would he ever kill me?. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. Yes. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The following Official Record of RICHARD JAMES GUICHELAAR is being Later in the six-minute 911 call, the emergency dispatcher asked if there were any children in the home. He admitted that the night Amber died, hed been angry with her for taking so long to lock up the house before bed. The assistant prosecutor told Target 8 she doesnt know why the violence turned deadly that night in November, nor whether Richard Guichelaar had planned to kill his wife. Bond was set at $2 million. Snow winds down in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Olympic curlers are partners, friends, siblings, Red Wings trade Bertuzzi to Bruins for 2 draft picks, Former Alma wrestling coach named Albion AD, Izzo announces MSU & Minnesota game wont be played, Get some help with houseplants this weekend, Noodle Fest closing out World of Winter celebration, Planning for those big life moments with Bankers, Everything for your home & garden under one roof, Learn about how to maximize energy savings for your, Byron Center student stands out for musical talent, City High Senior recognized for academic awards, Disability Advocates of Kent Co. push for accessibility, 9 to 5 musical coming to Aquinas this weekend. You strangled your wife.. While their baby was in a cot in the bedroom, the dispatcher told Guichelaar to take the toddler out of the room. In his interview with police, Richard Guichelaars father, George Guichelaar, told Dykgraaf there was a 98% chance his son was guilty. Richard Guichelaar, 35, was . Richard Guichelaar, 36, was sentenced Thursday, April 28 in Kent County Circuit Court to a minimum 33 years, four months in prison. 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. Her children are her living legacy and they will grow to know how much their angel momma loved them & be raised on the Living Word of Christ, Brittany wrote to Target 8. The sentencing guidelines for these charges range from more than 20 years to more than 33 years behind bars. I dont know why that happened. Her children were her everything.. Though Amber Guichelaar wrote notes documenting her husbands abuse, its clear those papers were a secret dairy. She had a wonderful sense of humor. Were just broken.. The question whether the person is under arrest or not depends not on the legality of the arrest, but on whether the person has been deprived of personal liberty of movement. My wife isnt breathing, he told a dispatcher, stumbling over his words amid panicked sobs. "I felt as if it were what God was calling me to do. So people only got to see, I think, little glimpses of the bad things about him and, unfortunately, I dont think they realized how bad it was getting.. He was charged with second-degree murder and intentionally assaulting a pregnant woman. 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. Her cause of death was listed as pending on the death certificate as recently as this past week. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. A man who strangled his pregnant wife has been sentenced to at least 33 years in prison. I do, he said. KENTWOOD, MI - A man accused of strangling his pregnant wife, a Kentwood teacher, was ordered held Monday, Jan. 11, on $2 million bond. The 32-year-old was a committed Christian who had been inspired by the church mission trips she had experienced while growing up. But her words, even after death, gave the investigators a unique insight into their marriage and pointed the finger straight at Guichelaar. 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. Shes right here, Richard Guichelaar said. KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) -- A Kentwood man has been charged Monday in the murder of his pregnant wife, police say. Relationships should be free of abuse! The girls are now being raised by Amber Guichelaars sister, Brittany, and her husband. She died three days before her 33rd birthday. BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her Kentwood home in November 2020. Amber Guichelaar was the mother of two young children and taught for Kentwood Public Schools. My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things, Guichelaar said. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Certain materials reproduced on this website are believed to be in the public domain. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. After completing an autopsy, the medical examiner ruled Ambers death a homicide by strangulation/asphyxiation, according to court documents. Her notebook pages documented the struggles she was having with her husband, Richard Guichelaar. All Rights Reserved. He was credited with serving 475 days in jail. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. However, Mugshots.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of the content of this website. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! At the time of her death, Amber Guichelaar was teaching English as a second language to middle schoolers in the Kentwood Public School District. Do you know of a related media coverage to this person and/or All rights reserved. Related: Man charged in pregnant wifes slaying held on $2 million bond. He declined to discuss the allegations against his son to the news outlet but did say that he and his wife were grieving the loss of their daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild. Kentwood, Mich. 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.