APD detectives arrest suspect for murder, robbery of man found bound and asphyxiated

ALBUQUERQUE – APD detectives arrested suspect who is charged with the murder of Christopher Fallen in early February 2024 at his home near Carlisle Blvd. and Constitution Ave., N.E.

Detectives arrested Daniel Lee Hadders, 27, on Friday evening.

Fallen’s deceased body was discovered by his business partners on Feb. 6 inside his home, located at 3512 Calle del Ranchero, N.E. Fallen, 48, was found with his head wrapped in tape with a belt around his neck. His hands and shins were also bound together by duct tape. Fallen died as a result of asphyxiation.

Fallen’s father, who lives out of state, last heard from him by text message on Feb. 2. Fallen missed scheduled business calls on Feb. 5, which caused his business partners to travel to Albuquerque, where they found him dead. His car and several electronic devices were missing from the home.

Fallen’s father told detectives his son had recently taken in a roommate, later determined to be Andres Chavez. Chavez later told detectives that he met Fallen through a dating app, and they two men had a sexual relationship. He said Fallen allowed him to stay at his home while Fallen helped him get on his feet and look for a job. Chavez said the last time he was at Fallen’s home was on Feb. 1.

APD officers in the Valley Area Command located Fallen’s vehicle, a red Volkswagon GTI, on Feb. 6, in a parking lot of the Starbucks, located at 1000 Rio Grande Blvd., N.W. Officers detained two people, including Daniel Hadders. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives found records, including Fallen’s identification card, 13 credit cards belonging to Fallen, paperwork with Fallen’s email address and PIN numbers, a house key attached to Fallen’s key chain, four cell phones, and several documents with Chavez’s name and personal information.

Hadders admitting to knowing Chavez, but claimed he bought the car. He said he found a wallet in the car and kept the credit cards that were inside.

Detectives located several phone, Internet and social media records with communication between Hadders and Chavez between Feb. 2 and 5. Detectives found a photo, apparently taken on Feb. 3, showing Fallen sitting on his bed with his hands bound together by a piece of clothing. A shirt was placed over his eyes, preventing him from being able to see. His face and clothing were covered in blood.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Chavez and Hadders. Police are searching for Chavez. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call APD at 505-242-COPS.

Chavez and Hadders are each charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, 3 counts of tampering with evidence, 3 counts of conspiracy to tamper with evidence, 3 counts of receiving stolen property, receiving/transferring a stolen motor vehicle, dealing in credit cards of another, and fraudulent use of a credit card.

(Update: Chavez was later found deceased in El Paso from an overdose.)