Pair accused of robbing and killing man at Northeast Albuquerque home

Matthew Reisen, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·3 min read

Apr. 27—Two men allegedly robbed and killed a man who was found bound and bloodied in early February at his home in Northeast Albuquerque.

Daniel Hadders, 37, and Andres Chavez, 26, are each charged with an open count of murder, kidnapping, auto theft, burglary and tampering with evidence in the Feb. 3 death of 46-year-old Christopher Fallen.

Albuquerque police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said officers arrested Hadders on Friday night and are looking for Chavez.

Both men were reportedly living on the streets, aside from when Fallen would let Chavez live in his home.

An online obituary for Fallen said he was a scientific researcher with a master's degree. He specialized in studying the Earth's ionosphere, a part of the planet's upper atmosphere.

"Throughout his life Chris loved travel, science, learning and problem solving," according to the obituary. "... Chris was smart, kind, witty and he was always willing to help others."

A friend wrote on the obituary page, "The atmosphere lost its greatest star. Love you buddy. You won't be forgotten."

On Feb. 6, police responded around 9:30 a.m. to Fallen's home in the 3500 block of Calle del Ranchero NE, near Carlisle and Constitution. Fallen's father and coworkers found him bound with tape and a plastic bag tied around his head with a belt.

Fallen's father and coworkers, who came from Colorado to check on their friend, broke into the room after not hearing from him since Feb. 2, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Fallen's father said his son recently had a roommate, identified as Chavez from a photo Fallen sent to a friend.

Police said they found Chavez's court paperwork with Hadders' name written on it. The house appeared to have been looted and the car was gone. Later that day, police found Hadders and his ex-girlfriend using Fallen's car.

Hadders ex-girlfriend told police the pair had been driving around in the car for three days, with Hadders getting high on crack and fentanyl while trying to sell electronics, according to the complaint. Hadders told police he bought the car for $300 from a man named "Buster" and soon stopped cooperating with police.

Police said they found Chavez, who told them he had last seen Fallen on Feb. 1 as Fallen went on "a business trip" and Chavez wasn't allowed in his house alone. Chavez told police he met Fallen on a dating website, and the two struck up a relationship before Fallen allowed him to live at his house.

When asked about Hadders, Chavez said he was his friend but that he hadn't seen him in awhile.

Phone and social media records showed Chavez was at Fallen's house on Feb. 3 and, soon after, at the homeless camp where Hadders was known to be living, according to the complaint. A search of Fallen's iCloud account showed a photo of him, bloodied and tied up, had been uploaded in the early hours of Feb. 3.

Police said they took an inventory of all the electronics stolen from Fallen's home and discovered Facebook messages from Hadders trying to sell the same items. Detectives found messages between Fallen and Chavez showing the two were in an escalating disagreement on Feb. 1.

"At this time in the investigation, no other individuals aside from Daniel Hadders and Andres Chavez are known to have been at (Fallen's) residence around the time of the murder," according to the complaint.