Fall River Couple Sentenced for New Bedford Murder

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A Fall River couple has been sentenced to prison after facing charges of manslaughter and murder.

Daquan Blanchard, 26, of Fall River pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court last Friday afternoon to the second degree murder of a man who was shot to death in New Bedford.

Blanchard's girlfriend and accomplice, Cheyenne Miranda, 34, of Fall River also pled guilty last Friday to indictments charging her with manslaughter and armed assault with intent to rob.

On June 2, 2021, New Bedford Police responded to 67 David Street for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Adilson Neves, 36, in the roadway with a gunshot wound to his back. He was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Neves was found outside of a gray Toyota Camry that had a shattered front driver's side window. The passenger door opened, and a gold iPhone was found a few feet away from Neves.

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According to police, Neves had $820 in his pocket at the time of his death.

After police obtained surveillance video, footage showed that the Toyota Camry followed a silver SUV to the area of the shooting.

A witness allegedly took a cell phone video of the SUV leaving David Street with Neves' body in the roadway after the shooting. New Bedford surveillance cameras also captured the license plate of the SUV, which was registered to Miranda.

Police confirmed that the iPhone found on the scene also belonged to Neves. Authorities discovered Miranda had contacted the phone earlier on June 2, 2021, and allegedly sold him prescription drugs.

Detectives conducted a vehicle stop of Miranda's silver SUV where they found an empty handgun holster in the center console.

During an interview with police, Miranda denied seeing Neves or driving on David Street during the time of the shooting.

Police then conducted a search warrant on Miranda's Fall River apartment, where they found a user's manual for a Toyota Camry in the trash can outside the home. According to police, the owner's manual had a handwritten VIN on the cover that matched the VIN of Neves' Toyota Camry.

Blanchard was also connected with Miranda during the shooting and robbery. According to police, a witness saw Blanchard arguing with Neves on David Street, then heard gunshots, and saw the pair drive off in their SUV.

A post-indictment investigation further revealed that Miranda's and Blanchard's fingerprints were on the Camry at the time of the incident.

On June 4, 2021, Miranda was arrested and was sentenced to serve five to 10 years in state prison.

With the assistance of the U.S. Marshalls, Blanchard was located and arrested in Greenville, North Carolina, on June 15, 2021.

In addition to second degree murder, Blanchard also pled guilty to an indictment charging him with armed assault with intent to rob. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

"I am pleased the defendant accepted responsibility for the senseless killing of the victim during a drug-related robbery," District Attorney Thomas Quinn said.

"I know the victim's family will never get over the loss of their loved one, especially given the violent manner in which his death occurred," he said. "I hope the defendants' guilty pleas and convictions for murder and manslaughter will provide them with some closure to this terrible tragedy."