Tanner Fox’s criminal ambitions consistently outstripped his abilities. He wasn’t a mastermind, but a young man repeatedly caught, a pattern of poor decisions culminating in tragedy. His initial foray into serious crime ended with a life sentence, a stark consequence for a botched plan.
The first fatal mistake occurred in March 2022, resulting in the death of 41-year-old Chad Colivas. Fox initially faced a charge of second-degree murder, but ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. This plea, however, didn’t offer escape; it secured a life sentence with no possibility of parole for twenty years.
Before Colivas’ death, Fox was already entangled with the law. In July 2020, he served 119 days in jail and received two years probation for stabbing a 17-year-old during a parking lot confrontation. This incident foreshadowed a dangerous escalation in his criminal behavior, a willingness to resort to violence.
The events leading to Colivas’ death began with a belief in easy gain. Fox, along with Laetitia Acera, targeted Colivas’ home, believing it contained drugs, money, and jewelry. The connection stemmed from a relationship Fox had with Colivas’ nephew, who resided at the property with his grandparents.
Acera procured a vehicle – a 2002 Ford Escape – using a stolen identity, demonstrating a level of planning, albeit flawed. The pair entered the home through an unlocked door, Fox carrying a loaded 9-mm handgun, a chilling detail that would soon define the night.
The plan quickly unraveled when the nephew unexpectedly returned, discovering his room ransacked and backpacks near the door. He alerted his grandmother, and together they entered the bedroom, unknowingly walking into a dangerous situation. Acera remained in the getaway vehicle, waiting.
The grandmother’s scream shattered the silence, drawing Colivas to the room. Startled by the intrusion, Fox reacted instantly, firing three shots at the unarmed man. The prosecutor was clear: this was not self-defense, nor was Colivas the aggressor. He died at the scene.
Investigators meticulously pieced together the crime, utilizing text messages, cellphone data, GPS tracking, surveillance footage, and DNA evidence. Despite recovering two firearms from Fox’s home, neither matched the weapon used in the shooting. The evidence, however, was overwhelming.
Acera initially faced manslaughter charges, but those were stayed in April 2025 after she pleaded guilty to break-and-enter, receiving a 14-month jail sentence and two years of probation. Her role, while significant, resulted in a considerably lighter punishment than Fox’s.
Fox’s sentencing was scheduled for June 19, a final reckoning for a series of escalating errors in judgment. His case serves as a grim illustration of how quickly ambition, coupled with poor choices, can lead to irreversible consequences.
