Back in the fall of 2018, we published six episodes of this podcast, laying out the story of Peter Chadwick’s crimes, his arrest, the beginning of his court proceedings, and how he was able to escape justice – for a while. In this final episode, Peter Chadwick is safely back in custody after more than four years as a fugitive.

In the episode, you’ll hear the voices of Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, and United States Marshal David Singer, who came together to hold a joint press conference earlier this month.

Listen to the Podcast

See the Photos

Read the Transcript

Chapter 1: Making Headlines

Maybe it was the setting: a large, lovely home in a private community.  Or the town itself: Newport Beach, California, a peaceful coastal city with miles of gorgeous beaches.  Maybe it was that the family was well-off; people always seem to be interested in the lifestyles of affluent Orange County residents.  Maybe it was all the crazy twists and turns… from tales of phantom handymen, to body snatchers, to several unbelievable – but true – facts about a certain graffiti-scarred dumpster.  Or maybe this story just hit people in the heart… with compassion and grief for the three boys who were left behind.

Whatever the reason, Peter Chadwick’s story has fascinated people for years. It has been the subject of TV shows and magazine articles, countless news stories, and – of course – this podcast.  People all over the world have followed this case, and the manhunt for a murderer who got away.  Some people may want to know all the tiny details, others might strive to understand how something like this could even happen… but plenty of us also wanted closure.  And if you’re one of those people, you’ve come to the right place.

(Intro)

Welcome to “Countdown to Capture”.  I’m Jennifer Manzella, your host for this podcast.  Back in the fall of 2018, as the spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police Department, I narrated six episodes laying out the story of Peter Chadwick’s crimes, his arrest, the beginning of his court proceedings, and how he was able to escape justice – for a while.  If you haven’t listened to those earlier episodes, you might want to do that now.  If you would just like a refresher on how we got here to Episode 7, we’ll give you a brief timeline in the next chapter.

Today, you’ll hear the voices of Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, and United States Marshal David Singer.  The audio you’ll be hearing is from a joint press conference earlier this month.

Chapter 2: How We Got Here

Our story begins with a family of five: Peter Chadwick, his wife Quee Choo (who is known as Q.C.) and their three boys.  Q.C. is a doting and engaged parent, a stay-at-home mom who puts her sons and their education at the top of her priority list.  Peter Chadwick is known as a quiet man: docile, shy, and soft-spoken.  Their sons are ages 9, 12, and 15.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012: Peter Chadwick fails to pick up his two youngest sons from the bus stop after school, and NBPD officers respond to the Chadwick home for a welfare check. There is no sign of Peter or Q.C.  Officers grow more concerned when they check the master bathroom.  There is a broken vase next to the bathtub, and small smudges and drops of blood in the tub, on the floor, and on the walls.

Other evidence in the home reinforces that something is wrong.  Officers find Q.C.’s cell phone and wedding ring lying in the counter in the bathroom, and the family safe is open… and empty.

Thursday, October 11, 2012: The next morning, at about 5:30 a.m., Peter Chadwick resurfaces near the Mexican border, claiming that a handyman named Juan killed Q.C., kidnapped Peter, and then fled with Q.C.’s body.  Investigators quickly identify Peter as the primary suspect in his wife’s disappearance and he is arrested for her murder.  But there is still no sign of Q.C.

Thursday, October 18, 2012: One week later, we found her, in a remote area of San Diego.  The body of Q.C. Chadwick was recovered in a dumpster, wrapped in a comforter from her own bed.

December 2012: Peter Chadwick is able to make bail, which has been reduced to $1,000,000.  He is forced to surrender his US and his UK passports.

For a while, Peter met his obligations to the criminal justice system.  He showed up for his court proceedings, kept in contact with his lawyer, and followed rules for visiting his sons (who were placed in protective custody of other family members). 

January 2015: After two years of watching his trial grow closer and closer, Peter Chadwick flees and becomes a fugitive from justice.  He takes large sums of money in cash.  Books he left behind show that Peter has researched how to change his identity and live off the grid.  He may not have access to his passports, but Peter Chadwick has the means to hide anywhere in the world.

And, for the next three-and-a-half years, Peter Chadwick remained a federal fugitive, wanted by the Newport Beach Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service. Multiple foreign agencies also joined in the search, casting a worldwide net for this murder suspect.

Chapter 3: The Countdown Begins

In September 2018, the Newport Beach Police Department held a press conference, along with our partners at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the US Marshals Service.  Together, we announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Peter Chadwick, who was now on the US Marshals 15 Most Wanted List. 

And we launched this podcast: “Countdown to Capture”.  To support the project, we also created a website at countdowntocapture.com, where viewers could see photos, listen to episodes, and read full transcripts of the podcast.  We didn’t know what to expect; no one had tried anything like this before.  But the results were incredible.  There were hundreds of thousands of downloads.  The podcast hit #24 on the iTunes charts here in the United States and also charted in Canada and in the UK.

Law enforcement continued their search, both here and abroad.  We knew we had to look everywhere.  Peter was born in England, had family in a number of foreign countries, and had travelled abroad extensively.  Investigators worked tirelessly to find Peter Chadwick and bring him to justice.

Through all of these efforts, which were multiplied by news and media organizations around the globe, tips began to flow in from every corner of the world – from our law enforcement partners and from people like you, people who heard about this story and wanted to help.  Peter Chadwick, a man who had evaded attention and capture for so long, now had thousands and thousands of extra eyes looking for him. As US Marshal David Singer explains:

[Marshal Singer’s voice shown in italics] There was a lot of media attention, there was the podcast, there was TV shows and I think he felt more pressure.  When these people feel pressure, they have to keep moving, they have to spend money, they have to use different IDs… they make mistakes.  Because they always think there is someone behind them.

And it was only a matter of time before Peter Chadwick made a mistake.

Chapter 4: Captured

Ten months, eight days, four hours and one minute.  That was the time it took between September 29, 2018, when Sgt. Court Depweg uttered these words in Episode 6:

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice shown in italics] Peter, we are coming for you… this begins your countdown to capture.

…and when Peter Chadwick once again felt Newport Beach Police Department handcuffs around his wrists.

After receiving hundreds and hundreds of tips, one of them led us right to our suspect.  Investigators were able to take a tip with some general information and work it through until, incredibly, we could pinpoint Peter’s exact location.

Peter Gregory Chadwick was located in Mexico on the night of Sunday, August 4, 2019.  With the help and cooperation of the United States Marshals Service and federal authorities in Mexico, he was flown to Los Angeles International Airport, where Newport Beach Detectives took him into custody at 10:01 a.m. the next morning.

So… what was he doing that whole time?  We believe that Peter Chadwick had been hiding in Mexico since his disappearance. He travelled throughout the country, never taking up a steady residence.  When he left, he had large sums of cash.  At first, he used this money to stay at luxury, high-end hotels and resorts.  He eventually lost that option when the hotels started requiring passport identification, which Peter could not provide.  He then turned to more modest accommodations in motels and hostels.

Peter also worked a number of odd jobs to supplement the cash he brought with him.  He used a variety of aliases and obtained several fake IDs.  The names he used include “Paul Cook”, “Paul Craig”, and “John Franklin”.

Did Peter plan to run forever?  Well, yes.

[Chief Lewis’s voice shown in italics] Our investigation shows that Peter Chadwick never intended to return from Mexico.  He had no intentions of coming back to Orange County to face trial, or raise the three sons that he had abandoned.

Peter’s future is now back in the hands of the justice system.  When he appeared at the Orange County Central Court on Wednesday, August 7 at 8:30 a.m., bail was denied.  Peter will remain in custody at the Orange County Jail until his court proceedings are complete.

And, almost seven years after she was killed, there is once again hope for closure for Q.C. Chadwick, and for all who loved her.

[Todd Spitzer’s voice shown in italics] May she rest in peace and may her family know that we will do everything in the power of the criminal justice system to get justice for this amazing woman.

Chapter 5: Thanks

[Chief Lewis’s voice shown in italics] We solved this case years ago, but that was not the end of our duty.  We will pursue justice for our victims, for their loved ones, and for the friends, neighbors, and community members whose lives changed irrevocably one Wednesday in October 2012.  Our goal – with this investigation, with the podcast, and with our partners in law enforcement – has been to bring Peter Chadwick to Orange County so that he can stand trial and answer for his actions.

They say that law enforcement is a team sport… and never was that truer than in the case of Peter Chadwick.  We received help from the public, the media, law enforcement in the US and worldwide.  This is not just a proud moment for the Newport Beach Police Department; it is a proud moment for all of us.

We extend thanks to our staff at the Newport Beach Police Department, to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, our federal partners, and the law enforcement agencies in Mexico and across the globe who offered us so much assistance during this manhunt.

Thank you to everyone all over the world who was touched by this story.  Thank you to each person who picked up a phone or typed out a message to share tips and information with law enforcement.  Thank you to everyone who shared this story and helped spread the word about our international manhunt.  And thank you to everyone who worked on this case throughout the years – because of you, Peter Chadwick is now in custody.

And now we hope you’ll do one more thing for us.  Keep caring.  Keep being invested in what is right, in having compassion for the victims of violent crime, and in supporting public safety.  This case may be wrapping up, but there are other fugitives out there, other investigations that just need a little help – and take it from us, one little tip can make all the difference.

The Facebook Live video is available here, as well as at several media sources: https://www.facebook.com/NewportBeachPolice/videos/2607080522638216/ (NBPD feed)

https://www.facebook.com/OCDAToddSpitzer/videos/336676390572339/ (OCDAFeed)

https://www.facebook.com/CBS42News/videos/689072788279764/ (CBS feed)

* Please note: No additional information or interviews will be available prior to the news conference.

WHO:

• Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer
• Senior Assistant District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh
• U.S. Marshal David Singer
• Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis
• Newport Beach Police Deputy Chief Jay Short

WHAT:

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Newport Beach Police Department will hold a joint press conference regarding the capture of wanted fugitive Peter Gregory Chadwick.

WHEN:

Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Orange County District Attorney’s Office, 401 Civic Center Drive W., Santa Ana, CA 92701, First Floor Law Library

WHY:

Chadwick, 54, of Newport Beach, has been wanted by law enforcement after failing to appear for a court hearing in January 2015 on a charge for murdering his wife in their Newport Beach home. Chadwick is charged with one felony count of murder and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. The defendant was out of custody after posting $1 million bail on Dec. 21, 2012.

On the morning of Oct. 10, 2012, Chadwick is accused of murdering his wife, Quee Choo “Q.C.” Chadwick, in their Newport Beach home over a dispute regarding a possible divorce and related financial issues. He is accused of then disposing of his wife’s body.

That afternoon, neither Chadwick nor the victim arrived to pick up their children from school. Another parent drove the children home and then requested a welfare check from the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) when the Chadwicks could not be located. A subsequent search of the home revealed blood and signs of a struggle inside. Newport Beach Police began investigating the whereabouts of the couple.

Sometime between the morning of the murder and the morning of Oct. 11, 2012, Chadwick is accused of driving to San Diego near the border of Mexico and contacting the San Diego Police Department. The defendant was arrested by NBPD in San Diego on Oct. 11, 2012. He was out on bail when he failed to appear at a pre-trial hearing in January 2015. The U.S. Marshals Service added Chadwick to its 15 Most Wanted fugitive list in September 2018.

Watch remotely through Facebook Live at https://facebook.com/OCDAToddSpitzer.

In this episode, you’ll hear the voice of Detective Sergeant Court Depweg, sharing personal messages from us at the NBPD.  Messages to you, the listener.  To the three Chadwick boys, who are never far from our thoughts.  And, finally, to Peter Chadwick himself.  We know he’s out there somewhere, and we’re pretty sure he’s listening.

Listen to the Podcast

See the Photos

Read the Transcript

Chapter 1: The Task Force

The idea behind a police task force is to combine personnel, resources, and ideas to achieve a common goal. Task forces are formed for a variety of reasons: child abductions, police officers killed in the line of duty, narcotics enforcement… basically any time an investigation will consume a single agency’s resources and capabilities.

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice shown in italics]

In law enforcement, we work together. Teamwork is a force multiplier, and part of why we are so successful.

In November of 2017, it was a task force that brought the Newport Beach Police Department together with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Interpol.  We all joined forces for one reason…to capture Peter Chadwick.

No one can avoid capture forever. Today, technology is making the world smaller and more connected than it ever has been before.  Law enforcement has capabilities and training that our predecessors never even dreamed of.  Social media platforms, community involvement, and good old dedication and intelligence… together, we can use all of these tools to find anyone, living or dead.

(Intro)

Welcome to “Countdown to Capture”.  I’m Jennifer Manzella, your host for this podcast and the spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police Department.  In Episodes 1 through 5, I told you the story of murderer and fugitive Peter Chadwick.  How he killed his wife, wrapped her body in a comforter from her own bed, and then left her body in a dumpster 100 miles away from their home.  How he blamed these crimes on Juan, a mysterious man that – somehow – no one else ever saw.  And how Peter was able to make bail and escape justice before his trial even began.

At every step along the way, his three sons were also victims… left to fend for themselves while their father put himself first, without a thought for their support, security, or well-being.

Today, you’ll hear the voice of Detective Sergeant Court Depweg, sharing personal messages from us at the NBPD.  Messages to you, the listener.  To the three Chadwick boys, who are never far from our thoughts.  And, finally, to Peter Chadwick himself.  We know he’s out there somewhere, and we’re pretty sure he’s listening.

Chapter 2: Where is Peter Chadwick?

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice shown in italics]

We don’t know…that’s the real answer. I know it’s not what you want to hear nor is it what I want to tell Q.C.’s family. We are as frustrated as you are that he was able to flee.  But that is the justice system that we live and work within.  Like I said before, law enforcement is very successful. We don’t like to fail… but there comes a time in an investigation where we don’t have the answers to the most important questions.

In this case, we know that Peter killed Q.C. We know he stole his sons’ mother from them. We know he left Q.C. in a dumpster like trash. We know he made up a false story, blaming someone else for his actions. We know he planned his escape from justice once he was caught. We know he once again selfishly abandoned his three sons by fleeing.

What we don’t know is where he went. A man with his means and connections could be anywhere. That’s why we are asking our law enforcement partners and people throughout the world to help us catch this criminal.

We want to keep communities safe from criminals like Peter Chadwick, but we need your help.

Yes, you.  Your help.

Peter Chadwick is out there, living a stolen second life as a free man, without facing the punishment he deserves, and without taking responsibility for his actions, or for the three boys – who are now growing into young men.  And he’s living this lie amongst you, somewhere. He could be your neighbor, a guy filling up next to you at the local gas station, the person bagging your groceries, the man sitting on a bench in the park playing on his phone, the person in front of you in line at the post office…he could be anywhere in the world.

But you can be anywhere too.

Chapter 3: A Message to the Boys

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice shown in italics]

What do I say, boys, that hasn’t already been said to you multiple times? Am I supposed to say, “I’m sorry your father took your mother from you”? Or, “I’m sorry your father was selfish and abandoned you to fend for yourself”?  These are impossible things to hear and to accept as young men.

The reality is there are no words that I, nor anyone else, can say that are ever going to heal the pain you have been put through by a man who was supposed to protect you. There is one thing, boys, that is worse than murder… and that is betrayal.

Boys: if you haven’t already learned, a man must be held accountable for his actions, even when that man is your father. Unfortunately, as sons, we at times inherit our father’s decisions, good or bad. It’s what we do with that burden that turns us into the men we grow up to be.

No one would blame you if you hate your father and never wanted to speak to him again. No one would blame you if you forgave him and wrapped your arms around him when you see him next. Just know, no matter what decision you make, that’s for you and you alone to decide. I would never judge you for making an impossible decision like that.

Just know that your father needs to be held responsible for what he’s done.  And your mother – and you – deserve justice and some form of closure. I don’t want you to be under the impression that we will stop looking for him…we won’t…we can’t. 

You will never forget your mom. Hold on to the last time you saw her before you headed off to school that day.  Her smile, her hugs, the incredible love that she had for you before she “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God”.

Chapter 4: Our Commitment

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice shown in italics]

The Newport Beach Police Department was committed to solving the murder of Q.C. Chadwick… and we did. We solved this heinous crime. Now we have a new mission and commitment: capturing Peter Chadwick. He will have his day in court to dispute the charges against him. That’s for another date and time. For now, Peter Chadwick is a federal fugitive. He is wanted for murder and fleeing from prosecution. He is wanted by state courts in the County of Orange and by federal courts in the Central District of California.

We are going to locate him and arrest him. We are committed to finding him, capturing him, and delivering him for trial.

Peter Chadwick is described as a white male, 5’7” tall, weighing 160 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.  He speaks with a slight British accent.  He was born on February 18, 1964 and is 54 years old at the time that this podcast was recorded.  Pictures of Peter – of how he looked back in 2012 – can be found at countdowntocapture.com.  If you have any information about Peter Chadwick or his whereabouts, please call 1-800-550-NBPD or email us at tips@nbpd.org. Thank you.

Chapter 5: Countdown to Capture

This is a message for Peter Chadwick.

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice shown in italics]

Peter… end this now. You made the decision to take Q.C.’s life, to steal her from her children, to leave your boys stranded on the side of a road to fend for themselves, to flee like a coward and not face the consequences of your actions. Think about the impact you’ve had on these three boys.

Make the decision now to stop this and begin to make amends with your sons. For once, make a decision for someone other than yourself.

You and I both know you fled because you can’t look your sons in the eyes. This is your chance to turn yourself in and end this. It’s time to think of someone other than yourself and what benefits you. Think about your boys.

Peter, we are coming for you… this begins your countdown to capture.

We believe that on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, Peter strangled and drowned Q.C. in the bathroom of their Newport Beach home, before placing her in the back of his car.  Her body was discovered a week later in a dumpster (still wrapped in the comforter from her own bed), along with $10,000 cash and jewelry and passports for Q.C. and her children… all of the items that Peter Chadwick claims he gave to Juan, his mystery tormentor who allegedly threatened him with a small, dull Swiss Army knife.

In this episode, we’re going to tell you about what happened to Peter Chadwick after he was arrested for his wife’s murder, and how he became a fugitive from justice.  How, through his selfishness and greed, he found one more way to abandon his three sons.

Listen to the Podcast

See the Photos

Read the Transcript

Chapter 1: As Seen on TV

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice shown in italics]

There are all kinds of misconceptions about homicide investigations.  Many come from television, and are the product of the format used to tell the story.  In real life, justice is never served up in an hour, or a week, or even in a season.

After a suspect is arrested for a felony, he or she has their first appearance before a judge, known as the arraignment. Here, the defendant enters an initial plea: guilty, or not guilty. When the plea is “not guilty”, next up are the pre-trial hearings (where attorneys discuss potential plea deals and the exchanging of evidence), and then a preliminary hearing (where the judge decides if there is enough evidence to go to trial). All that before the multi-stage trial process begins.  Years can pass between the day a murder suspect is arrested and the day their trial actually starts.  There’s a lot to do, and a lot on the line.

Police Officers are used to hearing off-handed comments about the way we should do our jobs.  Often, these are criticisms that are easy to make from the outside, without the burden of actually working within the legal system.  Police officers do not get to make arrests based on hunches (even really solid ones), or revoke someone’s right to bail, or force a trial to move ahead at warp speed.  We don’t have the resources – or the option – to follow people around 24/7, or monitor their movements, or keep tabs on their internet searches or their purchases.

People often forget that there is always another case… actually another 20 cases… sitting on each of the detectives’ desks.  And no victim of a battery or an assault is willing to say “Forget about my case; just dedicate yourself to that homicide investigation for the next year.  I can wait.”

(Intro)

Welcome to “Countdown to Capture”.  I’m Jennifer Manzella, your host for this podcast and the spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police Department.  At this point in our story, Peter Chadwick is the primary suspect in the murder of his wife of 17 years, Q.C.  We believe that on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, Peter strangled and drowned Q.C. in the bathroom of their Newport Beach home, before placing her in the back of his car.  Her body was discovered a week later in a dumpster (still wrapped in the comforter from her own bed), along with $10,000 cash and jewelry and passports for Q.C. and her children… all of the items that Peter Chadwick claims he gave to Juan, his mystery tormentor who allegedly threatened him with a small, dull Swiss Army knife.

Today, I’m going to tell you about what happened to Peter Chadwick after he was arrested for his wife’s murder, and how he became a fugitive from justice.  How, through his selfishness and greed, he found one more way to abandon his three sons.

This episode features the voices of three people associated with this investigation.  From the NBPD, we have Lieutenant Bryan Moore (who was a detective assigned to this case back in 2012), and Detective Sergeant Court Depweg (who is the supervisor overseeing the case today).  You’ll also hear the voice of Matt Murphy, who is prosecuting this case for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Chapter 2: Making Bail

The scheduled bail amount for murder in California is $1,000,000.  Once Peter Chadwick is in custody, detectives immediately contact the Central Justice Center in Orange County to request a bail modification. In the declaration, an investigator explains his reasoning:

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics] The investigation showed that the suspect has access to large amounts of money (possibly millions) and would be able to post the scheduled bail.  Based on the investigation, the suspect’s willingness to abandon his children, and his activities, I believe that if the Defendant is granted bail, he will likely attempt to further conceal evidence of the crime and/or flee the country to evade prosecution.

The declaration concludes with a request to revoke bail, so that Peter Chadwick must remain in custody until his case goes to trial.

[Matt Murphy’s voice shown in italics] So here’s the statute in, uh, regarding bail in the State of California.  It reads as follows:

In setting, reducing, or denying bail, a judge or magistrate shall take into consideration the protection of the public, the seriousness of the offense charged, the previous criminal record of the defendant, and the probability of his or her appearing at trial or at a hearing of the case. The public safety should be the primary consideration.

So in a case like this, when you got a guy who has no criminal background, uh, in Orange County, the way bail has functioned is it’s a million dollars, uh, unless there’s some reason that you can articulate to raise it.

Peter Chadwick, at the time that he is accused of killing his wife, is most certainly being charged with a serious offense.  He does not, however, have any prior criminal record.  And, despite NBPD’s opinion to the contrary, he is not deemed to be a flight risk, given his prior history as a responsible parent.

Bail is not revoked, but a judge is convinced to increase the bail amount to $1,500,000 dollars.

[Matt Murphy’s voice shown in italics] So, at his arraignment on October 15, three days before his wife’s body is found, uh, Peter pleads “not guilty”.

Ok.  So, in, uh, in this particular case, what happens is, murder cases… are… the investigations are often very fluid. And, and what that means is they’re ongoing.  Just because someone has been arrested, doesn’t mean the investigation stops.  And in this particular case, uh, after Chadwick had been arrested, the investigation really is… it-it continues to gather information for weeks and even months, in trying to piece together what happened in a murder like this.

And when, uh, initially, what-what you’ll see oftentimes in domestic murder, domestic violence type murders, which this is, uh, money is often a-a major component in these things, and in the initial phases… And, I don’t wanna go, get too much into details on this… But, um, it certainly appeared that there was a financial motive.

Prosecutors from the Orange County DA’s Office add a special circumstances enhancement to Peter’s allegations: murder for financial gain.  The enhancement is enough to hold Peter without bail, for the time being.

And the time is short.  By December, prosecutors cannot produce enough evidence to show that Peter killed Q.C. for the purpose of collecting on her life insurance policy.

[Matt Murphy’s voice shown in italics] We know that this guy’s got tons of cash, we’re worried that he might split, but the problem is that we don’t have any, any objective facts indicating that at this point, and ethically we can’t proceed with an enhancement that no longer is borne out by the evidence.

And so the judge makes a decision: Peter Chadwick will be allowed to post bail after all, and that bail amount will be reduced back to the original $1,000,000.  He must turn over both his US and UK passports to the NBPD.

He makes all the necessary arrangements with a bail bond company and celebrates that Christmas as a free man.  Peter Chadwick, you see, is considered innocent until proven guilty.

And how will he use his newfound freedom?  Instead of focusing on the needs of his children and the irreparable damage he’s done to his family, Peter starts to plan his escape.

Chapter 3: Keeping up Appearances

For two years, Peter Chadwick meets his obligations to the criminal justice system.  He is present for the required proceedings, stays in contact with his lawyer, and follows rules for visiting his sons (who are now in the protective custody of other family members).  By March, his lawyer ensures that his SUV, which has been held as evidence for months, is returned to him.  Peter relocates to Santa Barbara to stay with his father, and makes a three-hour drive back to Orange County for his court appearances.

[Matt Murphy’s voice shown in italics]

So here in Orange County, we don’t typically, uh, plead our homicide cases.  When, uh, a human life is taken by somebody else what we do is we let a jury figure out whether it’s a first-degree murder, second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, self-defense.  We very, very rarely will settle a homicide case. 

So, as we’re going through that process, we show up on January 16, 2015 and, uhhhh, I was there, the attorney’s there, everybody’s there except for Mr. Chadwick.

It’s been two years and three months since Peter entered his “not guilty” plea at his arraignment.  That trial is seeming more and more inevitable.  But the defendant is nowhere to be found.

The judge issues a bench warrant for his arrest in the amount of $250,000, but agrees to hold it until the next hearing date in two weeks.  If Peter appears at court, the judge will allow the hearing to proceed and will withdraw the warrant.

On January 28, everyone (except Peter) is in the courtroom again.  Peter’s lawyer tells the judge that he has not been able to locate his client anywhere.  The judge hears how Peter has been despondent lately, and that his family members are concerned he might have tried to take his own life.

[Matt Murphy’s voice shown in italics] The judge issues the bench warrant for Peter’s arrest.  The District Attorney’s office requests that the warrant amount be increased to $10,000,000.

But the judge doesn’t go quite that far; he starts at a more restrained $1,000,000.  As time goes on, the dollar amount of this warrant becomes irrelevant, because Peter Chadwick is most certainly considered a flight risk, and will not have the option to bail out in the future.

For now, though, Peter is out on bail… and not showing up to court is a violation of the terms of that agreement.  The judge is concerned about forfeiting Peter’s bail for failing to appear in court.  He asks for attorneys on both sides to reconvene in his courtroom in two more weeks to discuss the options, if Peter has not surfaced by then.  The judge explains that forfeiting the bail would actually be a blow to the Chadwick boys, since a seizure of their father’s assets would deplete their father’s estate and leave them without any financial support.

Don’t let this talk of suicide fool you… Peter Chadwick, once again, has left his sons in a perilous position.  In his selfishness, he has fled without a thought as to the impact that his absence, and his financial recklessness, would have on the boys.  The three brothers are left with a complete stranger – the judge – to worry about their future.

Chapter 4: In the Wind

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice shown in italics]

When Peter Chadwick stops showing up to court in early 2015, the United States Marshals Service joins the team of investigators looking for him.  And soon, any fears of Peter Chadwick’s emotional stability and potential for suicide fade away.

The Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force learns that he has emptied millions of dollars out of the bank accounts that he has access to.  Not only that, he has taken out the maximum cash advances available on a number of credit cards.  There is no money left for the boys, and – even worse – there will soon be hundreds of thousands of dollars in collection from the credit card companies.

The picture becomes complete when the Task Force comes across some of the reading material that Peter left behind.  There are books about changing your identity and living off the grid.  Peter Chadwick has chosen to become a fugitive from justice.

And he has practiced.  Investigators find that Peter had been making “test travel” trips, to Pennsylvania and Seattle, and attempted another trip to Missouri.  He wanted to test the bounds of law enforcement and his court orders.  What happened – or didn’t happen – confirmed his hunch: he wasn’t under constant surveillance. 

And in January of 2015, Peter Chadwick disappears.  He leaves behind his three sons, who have suffered heartbreak and abandonment at his hands time and time again.  Because of him, these three boys are now motherless, fatherless… and penniless.

On Wednesday, October 10, 2012, Q.C. Chadwick, a wife and doting mother of three boys, was murdered in her home.  Eight days later, her body was discovered in a dumpster 100 miles away.  In this episode, we’ll dig a little deeper into some facts about the case.

Listen to the Podcast

See the Photos

Read the Transcript

Chapter 1: Victims

In Newport Beach, California, back in 2013, two people walking along the beach at 6 a.m. found a corpse lying face down in the sand.  It was the body of a young Asian woman, washed up on the shore.  For two nights, there were candle-light vigils for the unidentified girl. People had theories about who she was; the most popular guess was a student from the local university.  Strangers, heartbroken over such a senseless death, said prayers for her and for her loved ones.

On day three, her autopsy was completed.  Tina Hoang, 20-year-old prostitute and new mother, was the victim of homicide.  Her mourners seemed to vanish overnight, leaving only her mother, her two-month-old baby, and a handful of friends in their place.

To the world, Tina’s profession seemed to change everything; it minimized the tragedy of her death and all but erased the interest in her murder.  Inside the NBPD, Tina’s profession was seen only as a way to narrow our search for her killer.

Justice doesn’t need a sympathetic victim. Detective Sergeant Court Depweg, whose voice you’ll hear in this podcast, has been known to paraphrase Voltaire: “To the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe the truth.”

And we owe no less to Tina Hoang, regardless of the life she led.

(Intro)

Welcome to “Countdown to Capture”.  I’m Jennifer Manzella, your host for this podcast and the spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police Department.  On Wednesday, October 10, 2012, Q.C. Chadwick, a wife and doting mother of three boys, was murdered in her home.  Eight days later, her body was discovered in a dumpster 100 miles away.

Her sons, who have already had their mom ripped from their young lives, are now facing the unfathomable development that their own father is responsible.

In this episode, I’ll dig a little deeper into some facts about the case.

In this episode, you’ll also hear the voice of Lieutenant Bryan Moore, who was a detective assigned to this case back in 2012.

Chapter 2: Trouble at Home

During a homicide investigation, detectives learn all they can about the victim, and the suspect.  As in the Tina Hoang case, they don’t do this judge the individuals or their relationships; they do it because all victims deserve justice.  And justice is easier to find when you know everything there is to know about the people involved.

In the Chadwick case, their home became the most fruitful ground for research.  Investigators find notes posted strategically around the house, reminders to pick up clothes and keep doors closed – supporting the comments they’ve heard about Q.C.’s desire for order and organization.

Q.C. has also been described as an incredibly devoted mother, even as having “excessive” love for her children.  And everywhere investigators turn, they see the smiling faces of the boys staring back at them from framed photos, collages, and artwork.  Even Q.C.’s password file shows her unabashed affection for the boys; it is full of passwords like “4my3sons” and “3sons4ever”.

Q.C.’s home has been her castle.  Here, she has everything that she needed: her family.  Tragically, it is also where she died, where she was taken away from her boys forever.

Peter, it seems, was not so satisfied with his home life.  Friends recall passing comments about divorce, Q.C. crying because she didn’t receive any affection from her husband.  There are clues that he was directing his affection elsewhere.  And clues that Q.C. knew about it.

Mixed in with the sensible clothes in Q.C.’s wardrobe, detectives find a handwritten note titled “From Pete’s Computer”.  It is a neatly numbered list, showing 35 headings from her husband’s internet search history.  They include “abortion cost in California”, “Chinese massage girls escort”, “team Tijuana escort girls”, “divorce Vicki Tran California”, and – chillingly – “how to torture”.  In their interviews, they find that Peter has been unfaithful for a long time.  And that Q.C. has suffered the consequences, both emotionally and physically.  When asked why she hasn’t left Peter, Q.C. has simply stated that she wants the best life possible for her boys.

Chapter 3: What about Juan?

Peter Chadwick’s explanation of Q.C.’s death has always been problematic.  The story changes often, and the details are bizarre.  For example, when asked to describe the knife that Juan used to threaten him during their 16-hour long ordeal, Peter describes a small Swiss Army utility knife, with a blade about 2” long.  And he points out that the knife blade was very dull.

His demeanor is also peculiar, as recorded in a detective’s report:

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics] I noticed that Peter appeared unemotional and almost sleepy throughout our contact.  He spoke very quietly and with a British accent.  Peter was very slow to answer my questions and would take frequent long pauses during his answers.  He frequently put his hands over his face as if he was going to cry, but when he removed his hands he did not appear emotional (his eyes were not red and/or watery).

In one of version of the Juan Story, the killer sits on Peter’s chest for a solid five minutes, so that he can’t attempt CPR on his dying wife.  In another, Juan forces Peter to disrobe after Q.C. is dead.  Peter then tries to charge at Juan, but Juan grabs his testicles and squeezes them to subdue him.

Investigators must be shocked that Peter remembers so little about the killer he brought into his home.  Initially, the only facts he can recall are Juan’s name and haircut.  During subsequent interviews, Peter is able to share more details…

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics] He described Juan as 5’10” or 5’11”, late 30s to early 40s, muscular, clean shaven, brown eyes, thin nose, wearing a long-sleeve black shirt with a low collar, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

During that same interview, Peter mentions that he was contacted by an officer on the 73 Freeway on Wednesday morning, while returning home from his job site.

Now… that would mean that Juan was in the car, right?  Because Peter picked him up at the job site and drove him back to the Chadwick home.  So the officer would have seen Juan?  And probably the guard stationed at the entrance to his gated community, too, right?

Maybe.  Peter is quick to point out that Juan sat in the back seat, you see… so maybe… but maybe no one saw him.

No one did see Juan.  No one at the job site, no one at the guard shack, none of Peter’s neighbors, and no one at the Arco gas station in San Diego.  There’s only one more person to interview: the unnamed officer from the 73 Freeway. It is a bit of a challenge to track him down, but NBPD detectives are persistent.

It would be easier if there was a citation or warning to document the interaction on the freeway, but there was not. Peter had pulled on to the side of the highway to call Q.C. about their lunch plans, and an officer had contacted him to let him know that there was no stopping allowed, and that he had to move along.

Odds are that the mystery officer is a member of the California Highway Patrol.  Now, there are two CHP subdivisions that patrol this stretch of the 73 Freeway: San Juan Capistrano CHP and Santa Ana CHP.   When asked, the Watch Commander of the San Juan Capistrano office scours their logs, but finds no sign of Peter Chadwick’s license plate number.  He promises to ask around at briefing to see if anyone remembers the silver SUV.

A similar call is made to the Santa Ana office.  The Watch Commander there pores over his logs, with better luck.  Hours after Peter mentions the officer, NBPD detectives interview him over the phone.  Yes, he remembers seeing the silver Lexus parked on the shoulder of the southbound 73 Freeway, right before the MacArthur Boulevard exit.  It was Wednesday, October 10, just before noon.  He pulled up behind the SUV, and approached it on the passenger side.  After advising the driver that he could not stop on the shoulder of the highway, the office made a note of the license plate number.  The driver, he remembers as a white male, about 40 years old with dark blond hair.

He also remembers that, as a practical matter for officer safety, he scanned the passenger areas of the car for other occupants.  There were none.

Chapter 4: Stranger than Fiction

Every detective can tell you a story of an investigation where they just couldn’t catch a break.  Surveillance cameras run out of battery right as the suspect enters the frame, nosy neighbors happen to be out of town when something suspicious happens, witnesses have a change of heart and won’t testify.

Most detectives also have tales of incredible happenstance.  In this case, that tale would involve the dumpster on Muth Valley Road.

Strangely enough, this is not the first time that a body has been found at the end of this particular driveway.  Another corpse was discovered there the previous year, and the owners were completely exonerated from any connection to the crime.  The owners moved away in June of 2012, and had just moved back again at the end of September.  And now, the body of Q.C. Chadwick has been found in their dumpster.

Truth can be far, far stranger than fiction.

Interviews with the property owners made it clear that they have nothing to do with Q.C.’s murder.  But, oddly enough, they are very much responsible for the discovery of her body.

Typically, their dumpster is emptied on a weekly basis, on Thursday mornings around 6:30 a.m.

Q.C. Chadwick disappeared from her Newport Beach home on Wednesday, October 10.  By the next morning at 5:30, Peter Chadwick has surfaced in San Diego with a strange tale about Juan the Body Thief.  An hour later, while Peter is still explaining his version of events to officers in a gas station parking lot, the waste removal truck is making its rounds.  But it does not stop at this driveway on Muth Valley Road.  Q.C.’s body, which should have been unceremoniously picked up and taken to a land fill, lays undisturbed.

The property owners, the people renting that dumpster, happen to be in an ongoing dispute with the waste removal company, and have not paid their bill.  A week later, the dispute is still not settled, and the truck passes by again.  Later that same afternoon, an NBPD detective stands in front of the blue dumpster, and discovers Q.C.’s body.

In the midst of this horrible tragedy, it is one small mercy for Q.C.’s memory, and for her poor sons.

In this episode, we’ll tell you about the search for Q.C. Chadwick, and the beginning of the NBPD’s first homicide investigation of 2012.

Listen to the Podcast

See the Photos

Read the Transcript

Chapter 1: Safe Harbor

A quick internet search will tell you quite a bit about Newport Beach: a coastal city in Southern California, known for its large boat-filled harbor, population approximately 87,000. The popular Balboa Peninsula has two piers, plus the Balboa Fun Zone (an old-school amusement park with a Ferris wheel), and sweeping ocean views. Local beaches include the Wedge (known for its immense waves) and Corona del Mar State Beach.  Visitors often remember the gorgeous coastline, the sophisticated shopping and dining, or the quaint frozen banana stands of Balboa Island.

Crime rates in Newport Beach are low.  What crime there is is almost exclusively what we call property crime: theft, burglary… crimes where people take other people’s stuff.  Violent offences – like assault, robbery, rape, and homicide, account for about 5% of the overall crime rate.  Homicides in particular are a rare occurrence.  In a remarkable year, there are three; many years, there are none.

In October 2012, the homicide rate for the year is still at zero.  With the disappearance of Q.C. Chadwick, and her husband’s odd tale of death and body theft, NBPD detectives have a feeling that that statistic is about to change.

(Intro)

Welcome to “Countdown to Capture”.  I’m Jennifer Manzella, your host for this podcast and the spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police Department.  So far, I’ve told you about the mysterious disappearance of Peter and Q.C. Chadwick, on Wednesday, October 10, 2012.  Their three sons, ages 9 to 15, are feeling shocked, afraid, and very, very alone.  By the next morning, Peter Chadwick has surfaced in San Diego, California, about 100 miles away from Newport Beach, and about four miles from the Mexican border.  He tells a strange tale, of a mysterious man named Juan who murdered Q.C., and then stole her body after holding Peter captive for hours.

Today, I’ll tell you about the search for Q.C., and the beginning of the NBPD’s first homicide investigation of 2012.

In this episode, you’ll hear the voices of Lieutenant Bryan Moore (who was a detective assigned to this case back in 2012), and Detective Sergeant Court Depweg (who is the supervisor overseeing this case today).

Chapter 2: Collection

On Thursday, October 11, investigators from the NBPD arrive at the Arco gas station on Del Sol Boulevard in San Diego.  They accompany Peter Chadwick back to the San Diego Police Department.  And there, the evidence collection begins.

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics]

Item 5540: one shirt, long-sleeve, khaki button up, size large.  Shirt shows several small tears and dried spots with blood-like coloring.

Item 5541: one pair of tube socks, white.

Item 5542: one pair of pants.  Levi blue jeans, size 34/30.  Possible blood staining.

Item 5543: one pair of shoes.  Hush Puppies, black, size 9.

Item 5544: one belt, size 36.

Item 5545: one pair of underwear.  White, Kirkland brand, size 34.  Possible blood staining.

There are evidence swabs too: from Peter’s mouth, fingernails, and the various wounds and scratches that cover his upper his body.  A hair sample is taken.

Peter so far, has been sticking to his story… for the most part.  The major points stay the same: Juan, Q.C.’s body being loaded into Peter’s car, the hours of driving.  Some details change, disappear, reappear.  But, in a direct quote from a police report:

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics] It became evident that the facts, as presented by Peter, were not only unsubstantiated, but lacked plausibility.

It becomes clear that, whatever the other details may be, Q.C. has been killed and her husband Peter was involved.

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics] Based on the evidence found at the residence, the defensive type injuries/scratches to Peter’s neck, and the inconsistent statements given to investigators, Peter Chadwick was placed under arrest for 187(a) PC – Murder.

Peter is placed in the backseat of a department car, and he begins his journey to the NBPD jail.

Chapter 3: Telling the Boys

Ever since the two youngest Chadwick brothers were left sitting at their school bus stop on Wednesday afternoon, their worlds have turned upside down.  By Thursday night, their worlds will change forever.

All that they know is that their parents (two people who they have only known to be stable, responsible, organized, and loving) have disappeared without any explanation.  The boys are extremely concerned about their parents’ welfare.  They have every reason to worry.

Their questions are heartbreaking: Are our mom and dad ok?  What if they got into a car accident?  Why aren’t they answering their phones?  When are they coming home?  And who is going to take care of us until they get back?

All three brothers attend their regular classes on Thursday, until Detectives pick them up from school (the two youngest from their elementary school in a nearby town, the oldest from his prep school several hours away).  That evening, the boys are reunited; they will need whatever comfort they can draw from each other.

One more person is also on-hand… Q.C.’s brother David, who is close to all three of his nephews.  He has already been given the horrifying news of his sister’s death, and taken some time to compose himself.  He joins the boys, ready to offer all the support and comfort he can.

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics] 9:00 pm.  The Chadwick boys have been notified of their mother’s death, and that their father has been taken into custody for his involvement in her death.  The three boys are devastated by the news.

Detectives and social workers and Uncle David do all they can to console the boys, but it cannot ever be enough.  This is a wound that will never heal.

Chapter 4: Dumped

A week has gone by.  There have been countless interviews… friends, family, neighbors, witnesses, and – of course – Peter Chadwick himself.  Property logs and evidence lists grow longer by the day.  Search warrants yield phone records, emails, bank statements… But a major piece of the puzzle is still missing: the victim.  Where is Q.C.?

Sixteen hours.  That’s how long it was from the time the silver Lexus SUV left the Chadwick home on Wednesday afternoon to the time a San Diego Police officer searched the empty back seat for any sign of Q.C on Thursday morning.  At some point during those sixteen hours, the body of the petite 46-year-old mother vanished.  Days ago, a teletype was sent to all law enforcement agencies in Arizona and Nevada:

[Sgt. Depweg’s voice show in italics]

Newport Beach Police Department in California has been involved in a homicide investigation.  Suspect (husband) and victim (wife) failed to pick up their children from school.  Investigation has revealed that a physical altercation occurred inside their residence.  NBPD has subsequently arrested the husband (Peter Gregory Chadwick) for murder.  We have been unable to find his wife’s body during the investigation as of today’s date.  Suspect was taken into custody near the U.S. / Mexico border in San Diego, California.  It is possible that the suspect may have driven to the states of Nevada or Arizona on October 10-11, 2012 and may have disposed of the victim’s body.

We are looking for a Quee Choo Lim Chadwick, DOB 6/16/1966, described as a female of Asian descent, 5’3” tall, 120 pounds, brown hair and eyes.  No identification is on her person.

At 3:21 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, an NBPD Detective gets out of his car and starts shaking hands.  He introduces himself to a sergeant and three deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.  They are on Muth Valley Road in Lakeside, California.

This area is considered suburban San Diego, but it is a far cry from the orderly tract homes of Orange County.  Sprawling plots of mostly undeveloped land are dotted with the occasional home, or winery, or horse corral.  There are long driveways, and all the buildings (eight, along this particular mile-and-a-half of road) are set far back from the street.  This is not an area with regular weekly municipal garbage pick-up or armies of wheeled trash cans that appear and disappear like clockwork.  Instead, the end of each winding driveway is marked by a dumpster.

Over the course of this week-long investigation, these officers of the law – and a number of their coworkers – have searched for the body of Q.C. Chadwick.  Men and women in both San Diego and Orange Counties have checked ravines, industrial parks, secluded areas… and a number of dumpsters.

The group of five splits up.  The deputies start at the far end of Muth Valley Road and move east.  They will search the area, and peer into each dumpster that they pass.  The detective from Newport Beach drives alone to the intersection with Wildcat Canyon Road, intending to do the same moving westward, and meet the deputies back where they began.

But he will not make it beyond the first driveway.

The dumpster here is a deep blue color, its surface mottled with stains and dents and scratches.  Some black graffiti is painted across the front.  It sits on a dirt pad, surrounded by dry brush, about twenty feet from the road.  Another thirty feet beyond, there is a black iron gate hung with signs announcing “no trespassing” and “private property”.  The building at the other end of the driveway is almost a quarter of a mile away.  The spot is secluded and quiet, and it would be pitch black after dark.

The detective approaches the dumpster slowly.  He notices a strong odor and an overabundance of flies circling above the hinged lid.  An experienced investigator, he already knows what he’s about to find.

Peering inside, he sees that the dumpster is full to the brim of discarded items.  Trash bags, old shoes, magazines, wine bottles, cardboard boxes, Styrofoam cups, a broken CD tower.  His eyes narrow.  His heart begins to race.  For a moment, he forgets to breathe.   At the bottom of the dumpster, he sees a spot of vivid green.  He dons a latex glove and gently moves the garbage bags aside.  The swathe of green is a blanket, wrapped tightly around something long – it stretches almost the entire width of the dumpster.  He backs away and calls for San Diego Sheriff’s Department CSI.

He has finally found Q.C. Chadwick.

In this episode, we’ll tell you more about Peter Chadwick… as he moves from missing person, to victim, to suspect.  And, at every step, he manages to leave his children more and more alone.

Listen to the Podcast

See the Photos

Read the Transcript

Chapter 1: Family First

The Chadwick family – and their lifestyle – is an intriguing mix of glamorous and grounded.  They live in a lovely home in the beautiful seaside city of Newport Beach, California.  They have family abroad, in Malaysia and Australia and the UK, and they often travel internationally.  All three of their children attend private schools.

But they aren’t flashy.  Their clothes aren’t expensive.  Their main family car is a Toyota minivan, and their second car, a Lexus SUV, is over 10 years old.   Their daily life is quiet and ordered, centered around their four-bedroom house in a peaceful neighborhood. Peter Chadwick does most of his work from a home office, and Q.C. is a stay-at-home mom.  The two younger boys share a room, and are very close.

Q.C. ensures that family time is highly valued.  Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are visited regularly, and holiday get-togethers are planned well in advance.  Homework and school are priorities for all three boys, who are excellent students.  Extracurricular activities are minimal; one son recently started an after-school cross-country program, and practices running with his father.  The children are polite, well-mannered, with all the security that comes from supportive parents and the structured predictability that their mother so highly values.

On the morning of Thursday, October 11, 2012, however, that structure and predictability seem like a distant memory.  The younger boys (ages 9 and 12) have spent the night at a friend’s house.  The oldest is away at prep school, but his mind keeps drifting back to Newport Beach… where nothing is right.

No one has seen or heard from their parents in almost 24 hours.

(Intro)

Welcome to “Countdown to Capture”.  I’m Jennifer Manzella, your host for this podcast and the spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police Department.  In Episode One, I told you about the boys at the bus stop – how the two younger Chadwick brothers were left without a ride home after school, and with no idea where their parents could be.  By that evening, the NBPD was investigating a case of two missing persons, with tiny specks of blood at the Chadwick home hinting that something was very, very wrong.

Today, I’ll tell you more about Peter Chadwick… as he moves from missing person, to victim, to suspect.  And, at every step, he manages to leave his children more and more alone.

In this episode, you’ll also hear the voice of Lieutenant Bryan Moore, who was a detective assigned to this case back in 2012, and a 911 tape, straight from NBPD’s evidence file.

Chapter 2: Midnight Oil

Throughout the night of October 10 and into the morning of October 11, the Newport Beach Police Department has been hard at work.  Both Peter and Q.C. have been entered into the Missing Persons database.  Search warrants have been requested and granted.  CSI is processing evidence in the Chadwick home.  Although the family’s minivan is parked in the garage, their silver SUV is gone.  Officers pore over surveillance footage and find that the Chadwicks’ missing car left the community at 1:32 the previous afternoon, and never returned.

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics]

Attempts to track Peter Chadwick’s cell phone are unsuccessful.  It has been turned off since 4:30 p.m.

Q.C.’s cell phone, however, is easier to find.  It has been left in the master bathroom… still connected to her charger… next to her wedding ring and her wallet.

The missing SUV is not equipped with a tracking device. US Border Patrol assures investigators that the car has not crossed into Mexico, and that they will stop the Lexus (and its occupants) if there is an attempted border crossing.

Searches are conducted in the nearby hillsides, there are helicopter searches from the air… but no clues.

Chapter 3: The Call

One hundred miles from the Chadwicks’ home, at the San Diego Police Department, the 911 emergency line begins to ring.  The call is coming from the convenience store at a local gas station, just four miles north of the Mexican border.  It’s 5:31 a.m. on Thursday, October 11, 2012.

[Audio from 911 tapes shown in italics]

Dispatcher:         “911 emergency […]”

Chadwick:           “Yeah.  My wife is, my wife’s dead. My–”

This is the voice of Peter Chadwick.

Dispatcher:         “Okay, so where exactly is she?”

Chadwick:           “What?”

Dispatcher:         “Where is she?”

Chadwick:           “They took her. They took her.”

And here is the first explanation anyone hears for the Chadwicks’ inexplicable disappearance.

Dispatcher:         “Who took her?”

Chadwick:           “The guy broke into my house.  He drove me here.  He had a friend.  They, they just gone, they’ve gone in a pickup truck.”

Dispatcher:         “Okay, so your wife is in it?”

Chadwick:           “She’s dead.”

Dispatcher:         “Oh, so did she die in that house and then they took her corpse?”

Chadwick:           “They, they killed…  They, they, they… Yes, they, they, they killed, killed her, uh, yesterday.”

Dispatcher:         “They killed her yesterday?”

Chadwick:           “Yeah, we, we, we’ve, we’ve been driving.  Ah, in, in Newport Beach.  Oh.”

Chapter 4: The Story

Peter Chadwick is known as a quiet man: docile, shy, and soft-spoken.  When he does speak, you can easily hear the traces of his British accent.  Peter is from the UK, and became a naturalized US citizen in 1991.  He works for his father’s family business, managing assets and investments, and developing real estate.

His wife of 17 years, Q.C., is known for being more gregarious, outgoing, and friendly.  Q.C. grew up in Malaysia, in a large family of six children.  She has a reputation for being organized and detail-oriented.  She is also a bit insecure; she is the only one of her siblings without a master’s degree, and she worries that she is somehow less capable than they are.  Her children have always been her number one priority and – unsurprisingly – their education has been very important to her.

But now, Peter Chadwick is explaining the story of Q.C.’s untimely and violent death to the San Diego PD Dispatchers, and then to the officers who meet him at the Arco gas station on Del Sol Boulevard.  It goes something like this:

[Male voice shown in italics]

Yesterday at about 11:00 am, Peter was at one of the properties that he manages for his family’s corporation.  He was approached by a man named Juan, who asked for work on the remodeling project inside.  Peter said no, that the remodel was fully-staffed… but that he needed someone to work on a small project at his house, if he’s interested in doing some painting.  Juan agrees, and gets in to Peter’s car for a ride back to his Newport Beach home.

Once there, Peter asks Juan to paint the railings on the circular stairway that connects the foyer to the upstairs landing.  He leaves Juan working, and retreats to his home office.  Shortly thereafter, he is pulled away from his work by the sound of his wife screaming.  He follows her voice to the master bathroom, where he finds Juan with his hands around Q.C.’s throat, repeatedly holding her under the water in their bathtub.  Peter says he tries to stop Juan, but the painter is too strong.

Q.C. doesn’t struggle for long.  When she is still, Juan threatens Peter with a pocket knife, and forces him to help with the next stage of the process: wrapping Q.C.’s naked body in the green blanket from their bed, and then placing it in the back seat of Peter’s silver Lexus SUV.  Peter does as he’s told, also emptying the family safe and giving Juan $10,000 in cash, along with jewelry and other valuables – and his cell phone.

Then, they drive.  Juan orders Peter into the driver’s seat, then sits behind him, holding the knife to Peter’s throat.  Juan is deaf to Peter’s pleas to let him stop, to let him take Q.C.’s body, to let him bury her.  They drive for hours.  Juan mentions something about heading to Flagstaff, Arizona… but they don’t make it that far.  At some point, Juan calls a friend named Chee.  They speak in Spanish, which Peter can’t understand.

Eventually, Juan orders Peter to stop at the Arco gas station on Del Sol Boulevard.  He threatens Peter, promising that, if he doesn’t cooperate, he will dismember Q.C.’s body and take it down to Mexico where Peter will never find it again.  They wait for Chee, who arrives in a green Chevy truck with a camper shell.  Then, the two men load the cash, jewelry, and Q.C.’s body into the truck, and leave.  Before they pull away, Juan orders Peter to sit in the SUV and wait for his call… the call that would tell him where he could find Q.C.’s body.

Peter waits a few minutes, and then enters the gas station’s convenience store.  He asks to use the phone, and instructs the attendant to dial 911.

He remembers few details about his wife’s killer.  Only his hair (which is dark, in a crew cut style), and his first name: Juan.

Chapter 5: Suspect

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics]

Peter Chadwick’s story is… problematic. And so is his demeanor.  During the 911 call, the gas station attendant is shocked to hear his claims, delivered without a single tear.  When the officers first arrive at the gas station, they note that Peter does not appear upset.  While Peter tells his story, he seems troubled or flustered from time to time, but by and large he remains calm… He is still calm five hours later when they place him in handcuffs.

Peter Chadwick is now the primary suspect in his wife’s disappearance.  Given the blood on his hands, the scratches and bite marks on his body…. and the holes in his story, perhaps it should come as no surprise. 

He hasn’t mentioned his children once.

There are no questions about his boys… no concern about if they got picked up after school, where they are now, if they are safe, or who is caring for them.

In the back seat of his car, which Peter claims was recently occupied by both his tormentor (Juan) and the body of his wife (Q.C.), investigators find a suitcase with men’s clothes and shoes and toiletries.  The suitcase appears to have been packed in a hurry.  Nothing is neatly folded.  Everything is in Peter’s size.

In the folds of the leather seat, there is a woman’s ring.  It is the only sign of Q.C., besides – of course – the traces of blood in the back of the car, and on the bumper.

NBPD investigators are driving to San Diego.  They now know where Peter Chadwick is.  But where… where is Q.C.?

The Subject

This podcast details the crimes alleged against Peter Chadwick.  We begin on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, when Peter and his wife Q.C. mysteriously disappeared from their home in Newport Beach, CA.  The podcast covers the ensuing search for the Chadwicks, the discovery that Q.C. had been murdered, and the identification of Peter as the primary suspect in her homicide.  After his arrest, Peter is released on bail, and escapes without a trace in January 2015.  He is now wanted as a murder and fugitive.

The Goal

Our goal is to find Peter Chadwick and bring him to justice.  He could be anywhere in the world, and we hope that this podcast allows us to reach listeners across the globe who might be able to identify him.  A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading directly to his arrest.

The Format

“Countdown to Capture” is a podcast released in a series of short episodes (averaging about 15 minutes each), over the course of two weeks.

The Schedule

The Voices

Alongside narration from the Newport Beach Police Department spokesperson (Jennifer Manzella), additional voices in the podcast include:

• Bryan Moore, Newport Beach Police Department: currently a lieutenant with the department; in 2012, he was an investigator assigned to this case.
• Court Depweg, Newport Beach Police Department: currently a sergeant with the department, the supervisor overseeing this case today.
• Matt Murphy, Orange County District Attorney’s Office: deputy district attorney, the prosecutor assigned to this case.

Additional Information

This website is a source of additional information about the case, including:

• A description of Peter Chadwick
• Photographs of Peter Chadwick
• Directions on how to report tips and information on this case
• A list of agencies partnering with us in the search for Peter Chadwick
• A detailed post for each episode with:
  • Embedded player for the podcast episode audio file
  • Related images
  • A complete transcript of each episode

A video of the news conference is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/SZipqzjX6t0, or in the viewer below.

This is the story of murderer and fugitive Peter Chadwick, the man who left his two boys all alone and waiting at the bus stop on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. We’re going to tell you what we can about his crimes, and the police department’s investigation into his wife’s death. And we’re going to explain how Peter Chadwick has escaped justice – so far.

Listen to the Podcast

See the Photos

Read the Transcript

Chapter 1: The Boys at the Bus Stop

It’s a Wednesday afternoon in October.  It’s been a typical autumn day for Southern California.  Sunny, but cool, with a high around 70 degrees near the coast.

In the middle of a residential neighborhood, surrounded by large two-story 1960s tract homes and spacious yards, there’s a small private school.  Pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, about 560 students.  It’s the kind of school that many parents dream of.  For those who can afford it, this school is worth every penny.  Great teachers, small class sizes, a focus on developing the character of their well-rounded students.  The internet is full of five-star reviews, praising everything from the academics to the arts programs to the way the school handles bullying.

When class gets out for the day at 3:15, the quiet neighborhood sees an influx of cars as parents shuttle their children home, or to sports practice, or to music lessons.  The school also offers a private bus service, providing transportation to a handful of nearby cities, and allowing parents to retrieve their children a little closer to home.

Today, just like every other day, two brothers board the bus bound for Newport Beach.  They are 9 and 12, lanky and slender, with mops of shiny dark hair.  And, just like every day, they get off the bus at the stop near San Joaquin Hills Road and Newport Coast Drive, to wait for their ride home.

But today won’t be like every other day.  They wait and watch as their classmates jump into the backseats of minivans and SUVs and sedans.  By ones and twos, the small group at the bus stop dwindles, until they are alone.  And still, they wait.

A woman named Gwenn picks up her own children from a similar bus stop on Bonita Canyon Drive.  As they make their way home, Gwenn chats with her kids about their day.  Suddenly, something else draws her attention: the two boys, still waiting at the bus stop.

She recognizes them.  She must feel that it is strange, that the Chadwick brothers are never here this late.  And she’s right.  Their dad always picks them up promptly.  Or… he always has before.

(Intro)

Welcome to “Countdown to Capture”.  I’m Jennifer Manzella, your host for this podcast and the spokesperson for the Newport Beach Police Department.  This is the story of murderer and fugitive Peter Chadwick, the man who left those two boys all alone and waiting at the bus stop on Wednesday, October 10, 2012.  I’m going to tell you what I can about his crimes, and the police department’s investigation into his wife’s death.  And I’m going to explain how Peter Chadwick has escaped justice – so far.

In this episode you’ll also hear from another person: Lieutenant Bryan Moore, who, back in 2012, was a detective assigned to this case.

Chapter 2: No Answer

Gwenn knows the Chadwick family well; they are her neighbors, after all, and their kids go to the same school.  There are the two younger boys – the ones who are waiting for a ride home – and an older brother who’s 15 and away at a prep school in Ojai, California.

Their mom, Quee Choo (who is known as Q.C.) is not the kind of mom who would let her boys wait at a bus stop.  She’s a devoted and engaged parent, a stay-at-home mom with a definite preference for structure and schedules.  Her boys are all polite and well-behaved, and she runs an ordered and peaceful home – no small feat with three sons.

Her command center includes a whiteboard with a weekly family schedule, motivational messages to her children, and reminders to focus on their health and their homework.  She is a meticulous, active, and doting parent.  This past weekend, for example, was spent researching supplemental math programs for her younger children, taking her older son (who was home for a weekend visit) out for his favorite Asian foods (foods that he doesn’t get enough of while he’s at boarding school), and emailing family to begin planning the Thanksgiving festivities (six weeks early).  Motherhood is the center of Q.C.’s life, her greatest pride and joy.

This is not the kind of woman who forgets to pick her boys up after school.  And Gwenn knows it.  Without hesitation, she pulls over.  The boys have already been waiting for over an hour.  The older brother has a cell phone, but hasn’t been able to reach his parents.  Surely, there must be some explanation… but Gwenn won’t leave them there alone any longer.  She loads the boys into her car for the short drive to their house.

They drive past the guard shack and enter the gated community that these families call home.  When they arrive, Gwenn walks the boys up to the front door of the Mediterranean-style two-story house.  They knock, and ring the doorbell, but there is no answer.  There are a few packages piled up on the porch; deliveries that would normally be taken in right away.  The door is locked, and the boys do not have a key.  They’ve never needed one before.

The brothers have no idea where their parents are.  Q.C. is a stay-at-home mom, her husband Peter works from home, and there’s nowhere else they should be at this time on a weeknight.

Gwenn takes everyone back to her house, and feeds the boys dinner while she tries to track down the Chadwicks.  No luck.  She decides to pick up the phone one more time, and call for help.

A few minutes later, a dispatcher at the Newport Beach Police Department is entering notes from her call into the Computer Aided Dispatch system, or CAD, as we say.  Law enforcement loves a good acronym.

It’s the type of call she sees often enough: a “Welfare Check”.  Basically, it’s a request to go knock on a door and see if someone is ok.  Sometimes the caller is out of town, and worried about a friend or loved one who hasn’t returned their call.  Sometimes the concern is for a person who has threatened suicide, or who has an illness.  Other times it’s an employee who hasn’t showed up for work… or a parent who hasn’t picked their children up after school.

It’s hard to not imagine the worst… because only the worst makes any sense.  Has there been a car crash, a fall down the stairs, a gas leak, a medical emergency?  Something so dire that neither Peter or Q.C. could make other arrangements for their boys, or answer when they called from the bus stop?

It’s now after 7:00, and there is still no sign of anyone at the Chadwick home.  While an officer knocks on the door, dispatchers continue to call Q.C.’s cell phone – no answer.  Calls to Peter’s cell go straight to voicemail.  There’s no answer on the home phone either.  The next round of calls is to local hospitals and trauma centers.  No, they’re told, there’s no one at Hoag Hospital or Western Medical Center under those names or matching those descriptions.

Chapter 3: Something is Wrong

By 7:45, with no success in locating the Chadwicks, NBPD officers prepare to enter their home.  Most of the lights are off.  As they go room to room, they find no sign of Q.C. or Peter.  Almost everywhere, they see evidence of the order and structure that Q.C. prides herself on… with a few notable exceptions.

The officers take note:

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics]

In the kitchen, there are two plates on the counter, and all the makings of a light lunch being prepared, and then abandoned.

The door that joins the home to the garage has been left ajar.

The family safe is open and empty.

And, upstairs in the master bathroom, there are a few details that could almost go unnoticed – things that, perhaps, could easily be explained if Q.C. or Peter happened to walk through the door, shocked at the unexpected police activity in their orderly home, with an understandable excuse for their absence.

But, with two people missing, these small details have only one meaning: something’s wrong.

The bath mat is rumpled and slightly out of place.  There is a towel on the floor.  On the side of the Jacuzzi tub, there are shards of broken glass.  It looks like one of the decorative vases on the deck of the tub’s been broken.  Inside the tub, there is a faded reddish smudge and, on the wall, there’s a few faint drip marks, tinged with a ruddy brown color.

Blood.  They look like tiny droplets of blood.  And suddenly, the otherwise pristine master bathroom looks like a crime scene.

[Lt. Moore’s voice shown in italics] Activity increases.  Search warrants are requested, and granted.  CSI responds and starts photographing everything.  Officers start taking notes, talking to neighbors, looking for more evidence, clues, anything.  There are more calls to hospitals, and calls to friends and family.  The NBPD enters both Peter and Q.C. into the Missing Person System.  

And all the while, there are questions swirling, spoken and unspoken.  Where are the Chadwicks?  And are they ok?

As the three Chadwick brothers go to sleep that night, their minds are spinning.  Fear, confusion, dread… so many big emotions for such small boys.  These brothers, who are used to being surrounded by stability and comfort and love, must feel very helpless.  And very alone.