In the late afternoon of August 19, 2021, a concerned individual placed a call to the Ames Police Department, believing they had overheard an assault taking place over the phone. This call led officers to an apartment on Mortensen Road at approximately 6:10 p.m. Inside, they made a grim discovery; the body of 32-year-old Maria L. Hanian of Des Moines.
A subsequent autopsy would reveal that the White female had been assaulted and had died from multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on a suspect, 26-year-old Oscar Chavez of Ames, who resided in the apartment where Hanian's body was found. Surveillance footage captured Chavez leaving the building, and authorities began a search for him. Later that same evening, at 11:55 p.m., deputies with the Sac County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop near Auburn, Iowa, and detained Chavez.
Following his apprehension, Oscar Chavez was transported back to Story County and formally charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Maria L. Hanian. Investigators also recovered a firearm during their investigation. Authorities believe Chavez was the sole perpetrator in the incident. He was subsequently booked into the Story County Jail.
