The Murder of Jeffrey Dryden: The Grim Truth Surrounding Male Domestic Abuse

by Troy Veenstra

  Ask Yourself This…

  Before I go any further, I want to define a few words that have been and will be stated throughout the last chapter and into the several chapters to come in what I have dubbed the “Posting Wars.” Several members of Chiquita’s family, and friends, keep referring to her as a “victim,” that both Chiquita and Jeff were “victims” of circumstance in this alleged “accident.”

  To be fair, there are those of us (including myself) in several posts that will openly call Chiquita a “Murderer,” a “Killer.” Thus, I feel it best to define the terminology of these words as well as the definition of the word “Accident,” in our modern, laymen society so everyone can fully understand what these terms are and realize who is truly the victim; who is truly the murderer in this case.

  According to the online version of the American Heritage Dictionary, (Farlex, 2011) a victim is; (1) a person who is harmed or KILLED by another; (2) a living person or creature sacrificed during a religious rite and; (3) a person who SUFFERS injury, LOSS, and/or DEATH of a VOLUNTARY UNDERTAKING. In the same dictionary, an “Accident,” is defined as: (1) an unforeseen event or one without an apparent cause.

  A murderer is defined to mean, “Anyone that commits the act of murder.” Thus, looking up the laymen’s (non-legal, non-technical) meaning of the word murder, the American Heritage Dictionary, (Farlex, Murder, 2011) defines the act of murder to mean: (1) The killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice; (2) To Kill Brutally or inhumanly; and (3) to put to an end; to destroy.

  When reading the “Posting Wars,” segments that follow in these chapters keep these definitions in mind every time you read someone stating that Chiquita was also a victim in all this and ask yourself, “Was she killed by another person,” “did she suffer a loss and/or death to herself by a voluntary undertaking?” Did she “Brutally kill another human being, putting an end to his life?” To some, these questions may seem childish or pedestrian to ask but as you will see in the coming wars, the definition as to what truly is a “Victim,” is highly skewed by those defending their murderous family member.

  The Posting wars Part 3

  Shortly after 10 am that morning, after I woke up and began to read Mlive.com (the local news website), I read the following article written by John Agar of The Grand Rapids Press and instantly posted it on the site all the comments thus far had been written on, the article read as follows:

  Woman, 21, to be arraigned on murder charge for stabbing death of Wyoming man

  WYOMING -- Chiquita Renae Fizer, 21, was arraigned today on a second-degree murder charge in Sunday's stabbing of Jeffrey Scott Dryden. Fizer was ordered held without bond at her arraignment before District Judge Steven Timmers.

  Police said Sunday's killing appears to have resulted from a domestic disturbance outside of Crosswoods Apartments, 917 44th St. SW. Police responded to a 2:45 a.m. call, and found the victim had been stabbed in the neck. He died at the scene, outside of his apartment building.

  This of course did not sit well with Chiquita’s family as a woman calling herself Lois Lane made the first comment of the day by stating (remember everything is word-for-word as it was spelled out by the authors):

  “Wow i wasn’t going to comment on here especially because of how embarrassing some of you are acting! Everyone will have their own opinion about the situation and nothings ever going to change. Instead of acting so childish and arguing why can’t we just mourn! Prey for both families and be civilized! I love my cousin with all my heart and know as well as the rest of my family and our friends that she would never do something of this nature. We can have all these harsh words and point the finger but that solves nothing! Both families have lost something and gained nothing! Arguing and calling people murderers is not going to reverse the situation at all. No one was there to know what truly happen mistakes are made every day! You all are acting like she woke up in the morning and decided to end 2 lives his and hers so instead of sitting here arguing back and forth over something that’s not in NOBODYS control on here is dumb and we should jus pay our respects and move on!”

  Move on she says… even now as I read these words by her again it infuriates me. Kind of simple minded to think that one could move on, mourn so easily as if all one has to do is flick a switch, and never feel the loss again. Never see the visions of his face dancing around in our heads whenever we see his brothers or sister, but I made a comment back to this woman later on, and I made sure to post it in this section of the posting wars.

  “Everyone always says, ‘I know they would never do something like this,” Elizabeth Slater stated as an almost immediate response. This was followed by one of Chiquita’s family members that went by the name Paula Anderson, Anderson came off kind of nice at first expressing her views but, as stated before, used words incorrectly with what we now know are their correct definitions. In addition, as you will see for yourself you have to wonder if Anderson has multiple personalities with the two posts she made, one right after the other. In her first post, Anderson writes:

  “Listen, everyone is hurting-yes! However, to get on this site and make an ass out of yourself saying foolish things is unspeakable and down right "ugly.” I met Jeff and he seemed like a very nice young man! But my niece is a very nice young woman as well, so why don't we all just move out the way and let the families of theses "two" victims (A person who is harmed or KILLED by another… how is she a victim?) deal with what needs to be delt with and instead of passing judgement on either part, why don't we just "shut up" and give our support to each family like we claim we are doing! No one here is to blame! Accidents (An unforeseen event… was it unforeseeable when she plunged the blade into the back of his neck?) happen and so it did here as well. God has a way of showing up and showing out in everyone's life and we are not all in control of our situations or circumstances, so to be really thorough and honest, it may seem like this is helping and that we are doing this for the families. However, if you all are smart as you sound here- you'll focus on the families and their grieving (sic) time! (Again with the whole, “Grieving time,) I love my neice (sic) and will be here for her through this!!!love you Chiquit.

  In Andersons second post that was time stamped a few seconds after the above post, she stated: “I love you Chiquita!!!! Auntie got your back!!!!! We ain't giving up no matter what baby url. Your mom says she loves and we are doing all we can to get you up and outta there as soon as possible. Fuck tha ones who point tha finger-Bless the ones who don't!!!! Now what??!!”

  I find it hard to see any faith in a person using the words “fuck” and “bless” in the same sentence, maybe it’s just me, but if my pastor said something using those two words in the same sentence I think I would need to switch churches right away.

  Sara K, stated a few moments later, “I hope they lock her up for good. Taking someone's life has NO excuse. A young man is dead now and it is so tragic :( Paula, the ONLY one making an ASS out of herself is you and Tiff.” After Sara’s statement, a few people felt that both sides (yes even including me) were being less than adult about the situation and thought we needed to hold our tongues. A part of me understood where they were coming from but again, a bigger part of me just couldn’t do that, apparently neither could several others. Tara K, Posted a comment to Jeff and his family, stating good things about him when she wrote: “You will be GREATLY missed Jeff!!! I know Jeff and I know he is a very nice person always has been a good guy since the day i met him. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family! Please let us know if you need anything!!!”

  Though the postings were short that day, by the end of it I had seen enough and, as stated above, had to have my say as well, it was here that I made my statement, finishing the day’s comments by writing:

  “Grieving time? (this was in reference to the Chiquita’s family members that thought we should all just be grieving as stated before). It is not that simple... Grieving time is going to be as long as it takes to convict... then and only
then can the family as a whole grieve, as the actions of that night are going to be brought up at every stage of this trial. This was not an accident as some like to think as the charges say otherwise.

  According to Michigan case law, a conviction of second-degree murder requires: (1) a death, (2) caused by an act of the defendant, (3) with malice, and (4) without justification or excuse, People v Goecke, 457 Mich 442, 463-464; 579 NW2d 868 (1998). See also e also, People v Mayhew, 236 Mich App 112, 125; 600 NW2d 370 (1999). The offense of second-degree murder does not require an actual intent to harm or kill; rather, it is sufficient that the defendant intended to do an act that is in obvious disregard (with accordance with the ‘Reasonable Person standard,’) of life-endangering consequences.

  I stated that although she might not have woke up planning to kill Jeff that morning. The fact that she was an adult of sound mind, and knew full well that stabbing Jeff in the neck with a knife was in all reasonable standards, the intent to do an act that was in obvious disregard of human life… thus, Chiquita was not a victim.

  She did not suffer, was not harmed or killed by another, she was not sacrificed during a religious rite… she did not suffer injury, loss or death by her voluntary undertaking. Chiquita Fizer was not and is not a victim in any sense of the defining word. Nor was this an accident. This was not an, “Unforeseen, unexpected event.” Nor was it an event without an apparent, obvious cause, as the definition of what an accident states.

  This was murder and Chiquita was/is the Murderer. Chiquita brutally killed another human being when she took that blade into her hands that morning. She is the definition of a Killer not a victim and no one… no one will ever be able to prove or say otherwise no matter how much they want to perverse the words to fit with the refracted, obscured meaning of reality.

  At the end of the third day, a section of the evening paper… the section young adults never read. The section middle-aged people fear to gaze their eyes upon, and yet the elderly turn to right away. The obituary section of the paper read:

  DRYDEN - Jeffrey Scott Dryden, age 28, of Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 18, 2010. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth; and his grandparents, Clarence and Mildreth Levett. He will be dearly missed by his mother, Paula (Tony Leverich) Dryden; twin brother, Jason; sister, Jillian; and brother, Joshua; aunts, Sharon Evans, Linda (Ron) Irons, Peggy Levett, Roxanne (Jim) Guild, Peggy, and Sandy; grandmother, Gale Dryden; stepsisters, Lynn Leverich and Jennifer Leverich; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Jeff worked for Compx, in Byron Center, for many years. He graduated from Lee High School in 2000. Funeral services will be held Thursday 3:00 p.m. at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville), 4145 Chicago Drive with Pastor Dennis Gilbert officiating. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the family to assist with funeral expenses. Relatives and friends may meet the family Wednesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday, one hour prior to the service, at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf

  CHAPTER 6:

  AUGUST 2009 – JULY 9 2010

  Outwardly, they gave the appearance that they were an interracial couple, however, had you been a neighbor, unknown to the truths of such blackmail, hearing Chiquita screaming and yelling at Jeff every day, you would have thought their alleged relationship was destined to fail.

  “Over the months that followed, Jeff had said they were arguing several times a day,” Jason said as he spoke of his twin brother’s relationship with his alleged girlfriend and eventual murderer. “He hated going home to her; he always wanted to just hang out with me and the wife, or other members of the family.”

  It was late August of 2009 when things violently escalated and Chiquita went after him with a knife for the first time. “Chiquita had chased Jeff down with a steak knife during an argument about him wanting to hang out with his family more as she had started telling him who he could hang out with,” Jason said. “She forced him into a corner when she chased him onto the second story balcony, leaving him to either fight or jump, Jeff, being the person, the man that he was, didn’t like confrontation.” Jason whimpered as he swiped one of his hands across his face, wiping away some tears with the back of his hand, “Needless to say the jump resulted in him breaking his ankle.”

  “They separated for a week after that and Jeff decided not to file charges for fear of what she would do, however, Chiquita again threatened to go to Jeff’s employer if he did not take care of her. Though we pleaded with him not to go back as she would only hurt him again, the fear of The Three Strikes Law, she kept calling and threatening Jeff to give into her demand and they were back together once more.” Jason sighed; his top lip began quivering ever so slightly as his eyes glassed over, “Things only got worse from there on.”

  “Though they had constant fights almost daily, it wasn’t until March of 2010 that she again came at him with a steak knife, this time hitting her mark when she slashed a deep wound across his right arm.” Jason said.

  Because of all the shouting and screaming going on during this altercation, neighbors next door had called the police, and upon arrival found Jeff bleeding from his right arm, resulting in them charging her with domestic assault against Jeff, even without his consent.

  According to court records, Chiquita was charged with domestic assault. She pleaded guilty in April to the charges and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 24 hours of community service. Furthermore she was ordered to have no other contact with Jeff, however this changed later on.

  In April, Chiquita began contacting Jeff by phone and text, tormenting him with the threat of losing his job and his freedom, she demanded that he go to the court and have the order of no contact removed, which sadly, at the dismay of his family, he did.

  “He was more afraid of losing his family, his freedom, (what little he had) of being able to see us than he was being cut by her again,” Jason said. “He went back to the court and got the order removed and later moved back into the apartment with her, back into her control once more,” Jason wept, as he looked away, gazing out at the river where we sat.

  “A week,” Jason forced himself to speak as he looked back at me, “A week before he was murdered by her,” Jason sighed, “Jeff arrived back at the apartment and found her having sex with another white dude,” he breathed deeply. “It was this I think that finally sealed the deal in his mind, the idea that he deserved so much better.” He said. “So I helped him out and fixed him up with a really nice girl about a week later… on July 17th, the night before his murder.”

  CHAPTER 7:

  THE WARS CONTINUE

  Though I wasn’t online for the better part of the next few days, due to the visitation and funeral, the posting wars continued when Sara Lynn (one of Jeff’s friends) wrote:

  “Really?! What’s done is done, Jeff is gone! He was a great person, and we had a lot of fun times together! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! My husband was best friends with him for a long time and we did everything together! None of this is going to bring him back! Let the courts decide! I want justice for Jeff, and his life was cut way too short! As angry as we are, both families are hurting! Let’s respect BOTH families and CUT THE CRAP! GOD is the final judge and that is all that matters, HE knows the truth! Jeff rest in peace! Bottom line, the families DO NOT NEED TO SEE THIS, ENOUGH!”

  Oddly enough, the family at the time was more than happy to see that there were people standing in for them as well as defending Jeff. In any event the posting wars continued on and later that day one of Chiquita’s cousins wrote, “DAS A SHAME ALL YALL DOIN DIS SHIT IT WAS A MISTAKE BUT YALL GONE GET IT YALL KEEP TALKIN SHIT ON HERE AND WATCH YO MOUTH TALKIN TO MA CUZIN”

  Later that same day some light was shed on the true abuse Jeff had been subjected to when a woman named Candice, a sister to one of the neighbors that lived next to Jeff and Chiquita stated, “my sister lived next door to them for a l
ong time and I have seen that chick scream and yell and hit him. I know she has stabbed him before and I was so sorry to hear that this is how it all ended...I didn’t know Jeff but unfortunately, I wasn’t surprised. I hope his family will be able to recover from this... it’s so sad.

  With that statement made Chiquita’s family and friends went on the offensive once more and showed their true colors, when they began responding to anyone that had anything to say otherwise about their innocent family member. The first to strike was a woman that went by the name, L. Badbody when she stated, “IMA TELL U LIKE THIS, CANDICE U DONT KNOW WHAT THE FUCK U TALKING ABOUT U WATCH WHAT U SAYING ABOUT MY COUSIN BECAUSE U DONT KNOW HALF OF THE STORY AND U DIDNT KNOW HER SO DONT SPEAK UP ON HER LIKE THAT JUST BECAUSE UR SISTER STAYED NEXTDOOR, WHAT SHE CALLED AND TOLD U EVERYTHING THAT WENT ON? THAT'S WHAT BLACK PEOPLE PROBLEM THEY NOISY !!!! BITCH”

  To which Candice responded, (with the same spirit I would have if that was directed toward me) “do any of these women have an education???? maybe less time online and more in school would help you express "yo self" better-so us English speaking people can understand your rambling-you're giving us black women a bad name-that girl was a psycho and a time bomb waiting to go off-you all knew it.

  Interestingly to note, the next comment made was by a man by the name of Isaac, who stated simply, “Chiquita never said anything about having a BF,” this is interesting for quite a few reasons. One, in a previous chapter Jason (Jeff’s twin brother) stated in his interview with me that a week or so before his murder that Jeff came home only to find Chiquita in bed having sexual relations with a white male (oddly enough it was around this same time that Jeff paid around $300.00 to have her hair extensions put in). Had Isaac been that unknown white man he would have already known that Chiquita had a Boyfriend, as Jeff had kicked the person out of the apartment at that time.