Woman Convicted of Orchestrating Execution-Style Murder

Illustration representing the tragic case of execution-style murder.

News Summary

Mary Diedra Chavez, 34, has been found guilty of orchestrating the execution-style murder of her friend, Phia Marie Albanese, in Fountain Valley. The jury’s verdict was delivered after evidence revealed Chavez’s conspiracy to murder Albanese, which stemmed from accusations that Albanese disclosed her whereabouts to Chavez’s abusive ex-boyfriend. Albanese was discovered in her car with multiple gunshot wounds, leading to Chavez facing life in prison without parole. The case highlights serious issues surrounding domestic violence and betrayal among friends.

– A 34-year-old woman, Mary Diedra Chavez, has been convicted of orchestrating the execution-style murder of her friend, Phia Marie Albanese, nearly four years after the crime took place. The verdict was announced on June 9 by a jury at the Orange County Superior Court, finding Chavez guilty of special-circumstances murder and conspiracy in connection with Albanese’s death.

Albanese, who was just 26 years old at the time, was discovered dead on July 19, 2021, inside a VW Jetta parked and idling in Fountain Valley. Investigators reported that she had suffered three gunshot wounds to the head and one to the hand while still seated in the driver’s seat. Residents alerted police around 6:11 PM after hearing multiple loud bangs.

During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Nick Thomo highlighted that Chavez had accused Albanese of revealing her whereabouts to an abusive ex-boyfriend, which allegedly motivated Chavez to execute her plan for murder. Prosecutors characterized Chavez as the mastermind behind the brutal act, stating she “ruthlessly and viciously conspired and planned” the killing, even though she did not pull the trigger herself.

Allegedly, Chavez lured Albanese to a motel in Tustin, California, presenting a false pretense prior to the crime. Surveillance footage captured the trio—Chavez, Albanese, and the alleged gunman, Oliver Leon—leaving the motel before the murder took place. Leon was depicted by prosecutors as a purported gang member from Los Angeles, who ultimately shot Albanese in the back of the head while seated behind her in the running vehicle.

Throughout the proceedings, the defense argued that while Chavez was present in the car, she never intended for harm to come to Albanese. They claimed the situation spiraled out of control and that Leon acted unpredictably after using methamphetamine. The defense further painted Chavez as a victim trying to escape her violent past, pointing out that she had been moving between different Airbnb locations as a protective measure against her ex-boyfriend, who had been shot and injured by Chavez’s new boyfriend prior to the murder.

The jury heard evidence of jailhouse calls in which Chavez and her boyfriend reportedly discussed the murder plot, contributing to the prosecution’s allegations of conspiracy. Chavez now faces the possibility of life in prison without parole, with her sentencing scheduled for August 1. Leon is set to be tried separately and may be facing the death penalty depending on the outcome of his trial.

This tragic case sheds light on the darker aspects of domestic violence and the lengths individuals may go to in extreme situations. The jury’s verdict serves as a pivotal point in a case that has gripped the community, with many awaiting further developments as sentencing for Chavez approaches. The overall implications of this crime echo broader societal issues, prompting discussions about protection from abusive relationships and the consequences of betrayal among friends.