Family Demands Justice After Teen Dies by Suicide Following Alleged Rape
The family of Makayla Rene Settles, an 18-year-old who died by suicide months after her biological father was charged with raping her, is demanding that prosecutors see the case through to trial and drawing national attention in the process.
A Move That Ended in Tragedy
When Makayla turned 18, she left Raleigh, North Carolina, for what she hoped would be a fresh start. She moved to Moorpark, California, to live with her biological father, Stephen Vincent Chavez, 41, with plans to attend college and build a new life. Two days after she arrived, her mother, Carolina Sandoval, received a terrified phone call.
"It was just the fear in her voice, her crying. I didn't need details. I knew something was wrong, and I said, 'I'm on the way,'" Carolina told FOX 11 Los Angeles.
When Carolina arrived at Chavez's home, her brother had to carry Makayla to the car. She was barely able to walk. At the hospital, a rape kit was performed. According to the family, the results confirmed Chavez's DNA. He was arrested that same night and charged with incest, taking advantage of a position of trust, and providing alcohol to a minor.
Chavez sent a text message to the family that night. It read: "I'm never drinking liquor again. I don't want that blackout to happen again." He has since pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Five Months Later, Makayla Was Gone
Makayla struggled with depression in the months that followed the assault. In December 2025, she died by suicide. She was 18.
"If I'm being honest, it feels like I handed my daughter to the devil," Carolina said.
After Makayla's death, her cousin Crystal Sandoval says the family was told the case might not go to trial without Makayla alive to testify. The news sent Crystal to social media, where her videos drew widespread outrage. Hundreds pledged to appear at Chavez's next court hearing at the Ventura County Courthouse on April 21.
"The DA was essentially saying, 'We don't know if we have a case because she's no longer here,'" Crystal said. "When she told me that, I immediately said, 'No, we're not going to let that slide.'"
The DA Says the Case Is Moving Forward
The Ventura County District Attorney's Office issued a statement saying its Sexual Assault Unit "continues to prosecute the defendant for this extremely serious crime." The office noted the case has been active since July 2025, when felony charges were supported by evidence, and that prosecutors successfully argued against reducing Chavez's bail from $250,000.
The April 21 hearing has been described as a standard pretrial conference to set future dates, not a dismissal proceeding. Despite that assurance, the family says they have been told directly that a trial is not guaranteed and they are not backing down.
A Viral Campaign Brings Public Pressure
Crystal Sandoval's videos drew hundreds of people pledging to gather outside Courtroom 14 at the Ventura County Courthouse. The case has become a flashpoint for those who say the legal system too often fails victims of sexual violence, particularly when cases hinge on survivor testimony.
"It was like he took her sunshine away and just kind of broke her soul," Crystal said.
The story comes amid a period of heightened public attention to cases where fathers have committed violence against the people closest to them, and where families are left to fight for accountability. Advocates for sexual assault survivors note that DNA evidence and medical records can still support prosecution even without live testimony.
The Makayla Settles case is also drawing scrutiny to how prosecutors handle cases where victims die before trial, a dynamic that has surfaced in other high-profile criminal proceedings. Coverage of violent crimes with a public justice component has consistently drawn wide readership in recent months, reflecting broad public appetite for accountability.
What Happens Next
Chavez remains free on $250,000 bail. His April 21 appearance will determine whether the case moves toward trial. The family says they plan to be present and will continue fighting regardless of what the court decides.
"This is something she could not come back from," Crystal said. "We're not going to let him walk away like it didn't happen."
Those following cases involving young victims are watching to see whether Ventura County prosecutors proceed — and whether the evidence on record is enough to secure a conviction without Makayla's voice in the courtroom. Her family says they intend to make sure it is heard anyway, with public pressure on full display at Tuesday's hearing.
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