8/31/2009 10:30:00 PM Prescott Valley police arrest man on murder charge
PVPD/Courtesy photo
Calvin Turhan Divens, 59, of Prescott Valley.
Courtesy photo
Prescott Valley police and rescue crews responded to a home in the 4800 block of Hacienda Lane Sunday afternoon. Police dispatch got a call that a man made threats to commit suicide by cop, according to police, who evacuated the neighborhood for about two hours. Later, they arrested a man on a murder charge.
Special to the Courier
Prescott Valley police arrested Calvin Turhan Divens on a murder charge early Sunday afternoon.
Police booked Divens, 59, into the Yavapai County jail in Camp Verde on one count of first-degree homicide, according to a department press release.
Police said Divens confessed to killing John Steven Chance, 58, also a resident of Prescott Valley.
Police went to a home in the 4800 block of Hacienda Lane and set up a perimeter at the residence Sunday afternoon.
Police dispatch got a call that Divens made threats to commit suicide by cop, according to the release. The department's Special Response Team responded to the home to safely get Divens into custody after he refused to leave the home.
A response team member tossed a phone into the home as negotiations ultimately got Divens to surrender.
Police evacuated the neighborhood for about two hours Sunday afternoon.
The release stated Divens made statements to the negotiator that he killed the other resident. Inside the garage, officers found Chance's body. He suffered fatal wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Autopsy results on the exact cause of Chance's death are pending.
During an interview at police headquarters, Divens made several incriminating statements about Chance's death, according to the release.
Posted: Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Lisa Goodman
I just hear of this tragedy about a week ago. My father was friends with John before I knew John Chance. John Chance was a sweet man, who was always helping people and being taken advantage of by the people he let say in his home. What a horrible thing to happen to such a good person. I wish I would of heard this sooner.. May God Bless John Chance and his family....
I loved John . . . I grew up on Morrell Blvd. across the street from him along with my friend, Charli (above) He was a fun-loving prankster back in the day and a charmer . . . Everybody loved him. Kind-hearted, handsome and hilarious. So sad to hear the news. . .
Posted: Saturday, September 05, 2009
Article comment by:
Larry and Amy Cooper of Road Damage
We loved John and would like to attend his service, please contact amecoop@hotmail.com with more information about the service. Right off.
Posted: Saturday, September 05, 2009
Article comment by:
Charli Crew
John, my BUD... It just isn't right to be punished for having a kind heart. I am sure the love I see here was your reward for all the lives you touched. Morrell Blvd was a great place to grow up. You are part of my history. Hugs and kisses to you for eternity. Charli Crew
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I knew John through junior high, high school and for many years after. I remember our times together playing music, riding motorcycles and other spontaneous adventures. He always had time for anyone and had friends across the social spectrum. He was also truly one of the funniest guys I have ever known; that grin and his hearty laugh have always been with me and will remain so. Great loss, greater guy. Kit
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Dear John Chance's family, This is a total shock to me. I just heard about this today. My heart goes out to you completely. John Chance went with me and my band when we were on tour, he was our security. John and I have been friends for many many years, I still have one of his straw hats and still cherish the eagle feather he gave me 20 years ago. My heart goes out to him in heaven. John will always be my Pikedo. And John, I still have your silver dollar that you gave me last year at TommyFest, I am going to miss you brother. Love you, Tommy Watson
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Pam
Johnny was one of the kindest people I ever knew. I rented a room from him. The first thing he did was give me some tulips to plant, and he cried at every touching movie he ever watched. He made me laugh every day, and I will miss him. To the Chance family.I am so sorry for your loss.
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Robin
John my very good and bestest friend I will miss him very much. We spent many nights under the stars talking about life. Many good memories and many, many, laughs we had. I don't have words that can be posted for the murderer of my dearest friend. My heart goes out to Johnny's family.
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2009
Article comment by:
John Roybal
My heart is heavey from hearing and finaly reading about John. My thoughts and prayers to all his loved ones that are left behind. In my mind and heart I can still here his laugh when we would cross paths. He will be missed by all who knew him as friend, neighbor, or family member.
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Cherry and David
John always called me his "dancing partner". My husband & I have known him since high school. We'll miss him, him good heart, his humor. Sincere condolences to the family. Our prayers are with you.
Posted: Thursday, September 03, 2009
Article comment by:
Curt Lindner
I am really sorry to hear about John as he was a kind and gentle person who would do anything for a friend.I stayed with John and Ez at his house on Sheldon St in the early 70s. Those were good times. He helped lay the block for my house and barn in Clarkdale and refused to be paid. Will miss brother John.
Posted: Thursday, September 03, 2009
Article comment by:
Josette Grasser
I am so sorry for your loss. My families thoughts and prayers are with you.
Although John and I divorced 25 years ago, I am still devastated by his death and the impact that his absence will have on our close knit family. I love seeing all of the remarks by people who have known our family for so many years. John definitely left his mark on many many lives. Please, if you knew him, join all of us at Goldwater Lake on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the crazy life of John Chance. It's exactly what he would have wanted.
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
SAGE, WHY DONT YOU JUST CHILL FOR A LITTLE BIT? THIS ISNT THE TIME OR THE FORUM. LET JOHN'S FAMILY LAY HIM TO REST PLEASE WITHOUT THIS ADDDED DRAMA....
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Article comment by:
Donna
This is to John's family. I have had the honor of John's friendship for about 14 years. John was a very good man, he touched many lives, including mine. He will be truly missed. Thank you for posting the information about the services. I will be there to say my goodbyes to John. And look forward to meeting the family that John always talked about with such pride.
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Hi Lynn, Do you have information or anyone who was related to him that I could contact Sage
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Hi. My name is Sage Killmeyer. I previously submitted a comment. My email addresss is killmeyers@yahoo.com if anyone has any information regarding the possibility of John Chance being my father and /or if I have brothers and sisters. I forgot to include my e-mail.
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
This is the same story you guys put in the paper the other day. It seems that the Courier needed something else to fill the paper so they changed the main story line to focus on Chance. Please start giving us some news we can use instead of filling the paper with previously written articles.
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Article comment by:
Bill & Leslie
I remember meeting John Chance in the early 70's camped near Lynx Lake. He became a good family friend over the years and was always generous with his friendship, craftsman construction skills, and sense of humor. He will be missed.
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Article comment by:
Lynn McConnell
What a tragedy. John was a sweet, funny guy who obviously made a huge impression on everyone he met. Sage, I have to disagree with your mother - I think if you had contacted John he would have embraced you with all his heart. You both missed out.
Hi. My name is Sage Killmeyer. My mother (Jacqueline Hatch, Chief Deputy of Coconino County) told me John Chance was my father and that he wanted nothing to do with me. When I wanted to contact him, my mother discouraged me and told me again that he wanted nothing to do with me. I find it hard to believe that the man who could be my father, is the man you describe, because per my mother, he didn't want anything to do with me. Just tonight I was informed by my mother that John Chance had been murdered. Can someone please tell me if this wonderful, caring man could of been my father? If John Chance's daughter could email me with any information she has, I would really appreciate it!
Posted: Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Bruce
Where a lot of people go through life making a handful of friends and many acquaintances John welcomed everyone he met as a new friend. He has influenced all of us lucky enough to know him. John was one of the first people I met in Prescott and his kindness towards me will never be forgotten. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. John you are truly one of the best men I have ever had the privilege to know.
Posted: Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Steve L Harker
When you accept who you are where you have been and what path may lie ahead and through this evolution of time never look out the window to blame the world for your plight in life but use the mirror instead, when you make a bookshelf for a grandaughter instead of buying one and you smile to all those you meet sharing happy stories of past and present, when a wealthy man wont give you a second look but a grandchild will crawl up on your lap and tell you how much they love you! how great are those people. It is never about how much people like Mr John Chance have, but always about how much they have to give without waiver from the heart. He is now where my two brothers are that were my best friends being hugged and needed by those who passed on before him. Can we learn from these people whose greatest asset in life was God given to each of us? I hope so. I dont believe his heart ever stopped growing, and know without doubt this man loved his kids more than he ever expressed. Men like these are what the song written long ago describes, "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother. God has blessed those he touched.
Posted: Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Dale and Jeri
So sorry to lose an old friend, we shared many laughs - our sympathy to Chad and Stef. It was a privilege to know John.
Posted: Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Rockey Krumbholz
What a shame. John was a great guy. I knew John from high school....we played football together. One of the funniest guys I ever knew. My thoughts are with his family.
