A New Hampshire man was sentenced to life in prison after admitting to strangling his former fiancé to death in her North Andover home in 2018.
Brian Chevalier, 54, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the death of Wendi Rose Davidson (nee Balestrier), 49, this morning in Salem Superior Court. Judge Thomas Drechsler imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“This was a cruel and senseless killing of an innocent woman,” Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “For Ms. Davidson’s friends and family, nothing will ever take away their pain. It is my hope that knowing that defendant will never again walk free will provide them with some solace. It is for this reason that I oppose any effort to do away with life without parole sentences for first degree murderers.”
If the case had gone to trial, Essex Assistant District Attorney Michael Sheehan would have introduced evidence that after the victim ended their relationship, the defendant entered the victim’s home on Lincoln Street in North Andover, sometime after 6:00 am on Friday, April 20, 2018 . He wrapped a USB cord around the victim’s neck twice and strangled her to death. He then dragged her to the basement and took her cell phone, car keys and purse.
At approximately 12:28 pm the following day, North Andover Police received a 911 call for an unresponsive female. They found the victim on the floor in her basement with the USB cord around her neck.
The victim’s car was found in the parking lot of Choice Fitness, about 1 mile from her home. The defendant was seen on surveillance video leaving the parking lot of Choice Fitness. The defendant used the victim’s ATM card to withdraw cash multiple times and rent a UHaul vehicle in New Hampshire. The victim’s car keys and cell phone were found in the defendant’s abandoned car in New Hampshire. Several days later, Mexican authorities detained the defendant and turned him over to California officials. The Essex District Attorney’s Office obtained a Governor’s Warrant to bring the defendant back to Massachusetts to face justice.
“On behalf of the entire North Andover Police Department, I extend our continued support to the friends and loved ones of Wendi Rose Davidson. Her murder was shocking to this community and devastating to her family. Our detectives worked tirelessly alongside the Essex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police to hold the man responsible for their loss accountable,” North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray said. “While these efforts cannot restore the loss of Ms. Davidson, we hope that it offers some peace to all who loved her.”
ADA Sheehan commended the work of all members of the Essex State Police Detective Unit and the North Andover Police Department who were involved in the investigation and apprehension of Mr. Chevalier. Trooper Pete Sherber, of the Essex State Police Detective Unit and Detective Dan Cronin, of the North Andover Police Department were the lead investigators. Essex Victim Witness Advocate Rocky Pena provided assistance to the family and the prosecution team.
Mr. Chevalier was represented by Attorney Rebecca Whitehill.
