Bond was set at $2 million. 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. You killed her intentionally, Kent County Judge Mark Trusock said. 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. The sister of Amber Guichelaar, who had been just three days shy of her 33rd birthday, had reportedly talked to her via Facetime around 8:30 p.m. the night before she died. . Domestic violence help: Murder victim's words expose husband What helped expose Guichelaar was Amber's own. "My. Kentwood man admits guilt in pregnant wife's killing - WZZM13 Still, despite Richard Guichelaars violent history, it seems no one considered he might kill his wife. 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. Police said Richard Guichelaar was arraigned on the open murder charge against him on Monday in district court. The couple had two young children, and Amber was pregnant with a third child when she died. My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things, Guichelaar said. It was after this trip, that I felt God nudging me into going into learning and teaching Spanish, wrote Amber Guichelaar in 2014. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! It was the last time anyone outside of her home saw her alive, according to local station WXMI. My wife isnt breathing, he told a dispatcher, stumbling over his words amid panicked sobs. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. What you did to your wife, your children, to the family of Amber and her friends, is beyond comprehension, quite frankly, he said. The medical examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled Amber Guichelaar's death a homicide by strangulation/asphyxiation, according to the affidavit. Theyd met when she was teaching Spanish at a school where Guichelaars dad was the principal. She was a local teacher and the mother of two children. Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her Kentwood home in November 2020. The tragic killing happened in November. Grand Rapids, MI A Kentwood man is in the Kent County jail, facing a charge of open murder in the death of his pregnant wife. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He suggested that Amber had accidentally strangled herself. Grand Rapids-area man charged with murder after strangling - WJBK "You killed her intentionally," Kent County Judge Mark Trusock said. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Before taking the position at Kentwood, Amber Guichelaar had worked at South Christian High School teaching Spanish, WOOD-TV reported. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. While several of Amber Guichelaars close friends knew her husband had extreme mood swings and would sometimes break things in fits of anger, they told the detective they never saw him physically assault her. She told no one about the physical assaults she was enduring. Richard Guichelaar Charged With Murder Of Amber Guichelaar | Crime News When the judge shared his thoughts with Guichelaar, he described Ambers death as brutal and senseless. Richard Guichelaar later told Kentwood police he had slept on a downstairs couch that night because the couples bedroom was too hot. Theres just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. The mugshots and/or arrest records published on mugshots.com are in no way an indication of guilt and they are not evidence that an actual crime has been committed. You strangled your wife.. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. Amber Guichelaar, 32, was killed at her Kentwood home in November 2020. Some had suffered water damage but it was clear that they were documenting the struggles she was having with her husband. They are urging anyone who is suffering in silence to reach out and get help. The dispatcher then asked if there were children in the house. 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. 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. Amber definitely was a child of God, said her mom, Amy DeGraaf, in a recent interview with Target 8. Then, at 3.30am on 16 November, Guichelaar called 911. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. The victims mother, Amy DeGraaf, spoke at the sentencing and asked the judge to consider the two young children. Richard Guichelaar works for a landscaping and snowplowing business, MLive.com reports. "There's just no excuse or justification for this brutal and senseless murder. Amber was married to Richard Guichelaar. Later in the six-minute 911 call, the emergency dispatcher asked if there were any children in the home. "My whole life, it seems, being a teacher is what I wanted to do," she wrote. 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. The death certificate listed the location of Amber Guichelaars death as the couples home address on Andrews. (The friend) did not know of any physical violence between Richard and Amber. He choked back tears as he acknowledged in open court that he. She was found dead on her bed under what police have described as suspicious circumstances, according to. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty Feb. 21 in a six-minute hearing before Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. Her notebook pages documented the struggles she was having with her husband, Richard Guichelaar. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. When we talked to detectives, they said, You know, weve never had this situation before where everyone around these two is saying, He did it, recalled Wustman. Guichelaar earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Nov. 16, 2020 death of 32-year-old Amber Guichelaar at their Kentwood home. He was credited with serving 475 days in jail. Everyone was certain he had killed her and were relieved when he was arrested in January 2021. A GoFundMe account has been set up for Guichelaar's two daughters. "I felt as if it were what God was calling me to do. Theres none whatsoever.. Plus, he never got up for the children he always left it to Amber. The word "arrest" on Mugshots.com means the apprehension of a person or the deprivation of a person's liberty. Amber graduated from Calvin College and had most recently been employed by Kentwood Public Schools, teaching students who were learning English as a second language. He will be eligible for parole consideration after 33 years in custody. "hit" or "view": An internal web visit measurement unit. An autopsy would later determine that the mother had injuries consistent with an assault which occurred just prior to her death, according to the affidavit. 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. Amber Guichelaar, 32, died Nov. 16 at the home she shared with her husband at 1432 Andrew SE in Kentwood. 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 was the mother of two young children and was pregnant with the couples third child when she died,MLive reports. This (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. Two days later, Amber Guichelaar was dead and police had a prime suspect in her husband. The girls are being well cared for at this time but we know there is a lot ahead. Guichelaar has pleaded guilty plea for second-degree murder and. However, at home he frustrated Amber with how little he helped her out with the family. She had a wonderful sense of humor. call or text Safe Haven Ministries anytime at 616.452.6664. Amber Guichelaars sister, Brittany, reminded those in abusive relationships whether that be physically, mentally, emotionally that there is help in the form of friends, family, church members and a number of professional organizations in West Michigan. Certain materials reproduced on this website are believed to be in the public domain. (The friend) stated the most recent fight she could think of was during the initial COVID 19 outbreak when everything was locked down and everyone was quarantined in the house together. The neighbors sued the Guichelaar family and were granted a $501,000 settlement in February of 2020. He was charged with second-degree murder and intentionally assaulting a pregnant woman. 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. I think the hard part is, Amber did a really good job of covering for him, Wustman said. Richard Guichelaar was arrested and booked into . All Rights Reserved. My wife was a wonderful human being, a wonderful mother, daughter and so many other things, Guichelaar said. You may leave a message for the family by clicking here. The term is Anglo-Norman in origin and is related to the French word arrt, meaning "stop". Police said Amber Guichelaar, 32, a mother of two and a teacher at a Kentwood school, was found dead. Richard Guichelaar, 36, pleaded guilty in February to second-degree murder. Subscribe to ourYouTube channel. First published on April 29, 2022 / 9:36 AM. 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. 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. And the bedroom had been hot because the thermostat was set at 25.5C it had never been set that high before. Ummm, but he can get so angry. Ambers family have spoken out and want her story shared so that other women can escape abusive relationships before its too late. Ga. Police Officer Arrested After Naked Body of Missing 16-Year-Old Girl Found in Woods, Salt Life Founder Pleads Guilty After Killing 18-Year-Old Girlfriend While They Were 'Playing' with Gun, Suspect in Death of Pregnant Mom Found Next to Car with Son Inside Was Recently Acquitted of Unrelated Murder, N.J. Kindergarten Teacher Who Mysteriously Didn't Come to Work Is Found Dead in Shallow Grave the Next Day, 2 Students from Same Atlanta High School Found Dead, Police Say Cases Are Unrelated, Texas Man Accused of Stabbing His 8-Year-Old Grandson to Death, Adam Zimmer's Cause of Death Confirmed Almost 2 Months After He Was Found Dead: Reports, Arkansas Boy, 6, Found Dead Under Floorboards Allegedly Drowned in Toilet by Mother's Boyfriend, Husband of Missing Pa. Wustman, the assistant prosecutor, talked about the valuable information Amber Guichelaars friends and family provided. 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. "Did you strangle your wife and kill her?". Richard Guichelaars brother told police that as a child, he would threaten to burn the house down, kill his brothers hamster by crushing it, cut his sister with a knife or leave her in a field to freeze to death. Hell throw things, hell punch things, hell yeah, he just rage, rage.'. He admitted that the night Amber died, hed been angry with her for taking so long to lock up the house before bed. She was rooted in Jesus Christ and her actions and words proved that. In addition, "Statements given by Richard do not fully explain the circumstances which resulted in Amber's death," the detective assigned to the cause wrote in the document, MLive.com reports. Amber Guichelaar, 32, died Nov. 16 at the home she shared with her husband at 1432 Andrew SE in Kentwood. The appearance of the likeness and/or name of any person on mugshots.com is not an allegation by mugshots.com that the person has in fact engaged in any of the activities or crimes for which they have been charged. Yeah he has a whole other side to him and umm, for a few years there, we thought it was really good he was on good medication, and it was almost as if we could breathe a sigh of relief like maybe weve made it through the worst of it. 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. He is dangerous I have literally thought to myself, am I safeasleep next to him?