News

Son of murdered N. Andover woman said he had bad feeling about suspect

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- The son of the woman found strangled to death in North Andover said he met his mother's accused killer twice.

In a phone interview with Boston 25 News, Josh Davidson said he got a bad feeling about Brian Chevalier both times the 51-year-old came to his grandparents' house for dinner.

The Essex County District Attorney confirms Chevalier of Merrimack, New Hampshire is charged with killing his ex-fiancée, Wendi Davidson. Her body was found April 21 in the basement of her home. At the time, police said Davidson appeared to have been strangled and the murder was not random.

Chevalier was arrested on Friday in Mexico near the California border on April 25 and turned over to the custody of US officials for allegedly violating his parole in New Hampshire and a for larceny in Massachusetts.

>>PREVIOUSEx-fiance of N. Andover woman found dead to be charged with murder

Josh Davidson said Chevalier never made eye contact, which he found to be a little disturbing. "If you have nothing to hide, why can't you look anyone in the eye?" Davidson said.

Davidson told us the Valentine's Day engagement between Chevalier and his mom came as a surprise to the whole family. Some of the family wasn’t aware she was dating anyone. The couple had met just two months earlier.

Davidson became even more alarmed after a Google search of Chevalier turned up his criminal history and violent tendencies dating back more than a decade. He told Boston 25 News he freaked out, but when he showed his mom, she said she knew about Chevalier's past. Davidson said Chevalier told his mom he got off and there were other made-up stories.

Davidson said he gave Chevalier the benefit of the doubt, but always feared what would happened if they did break up. "We checked on her at all times," he told us. However, he was not aware of any threats.

Davidson said he's still struggling to find peace as Chevalier sits behind bars.

"What happened obviously can't be changed," said Davidson. "That pain and that hole is going to be there forever."

Davidson told us his mom cared so much for him and his younger brother. He said she was always there for them.

>>PREVIOUSFamily: Woman found murdered in N. Andover home was loving mother of 2

Chevalier was set to appear in front of a judge in California on Monday. It's unclear when he will return to Massachusetts to face charges here.

The family plans to be in court for Chevalier’s appearances.

TOP STORIES: