Brother of slain Janet Abaroa claims he knew her husband was 'hiding something'

The brother of murdered Janet Abaroa claims he always 'sensed' her husband was hiding something, and does not believe the Mormon man is innocent of her killing.

Mark Christiansen, Janet's younger brother, described Raven Abaroa as appearing charismatic and charming but added that he suspected something sinister about the man.  

'Janet came home for the holidays and she brought a new boyfriend that she wanted to introduce us to, and I was like, 'Great, she's happy. She met someone. This is fantastic,' Christiansen explained during an appearance on '20/20'. 

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Raven Abaroa was arrested in February 2010 and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his first wife Janet in April 2005

Mark Christiansen, Janet Abaroa's younger brother, described Raven as appearing charismatic and charming but expressed worry from the start

'But when I met him, I was just uncomfortable. I felt like he was trying too hard to charm me, trying to charm everyone, trying to win people over...to make them like him, and it just...to me it felt forced, but to other people, it worked.' 

Janet and Raven met in 1998 while attending Southern Virginia University, a predominantly Mormon college. 

They would get married in August 2000 and would soon move to Durham, North Carolina, for work opportunities. 

By 2004, Janet's sisters would learn that Raven was cheating on her with multiple women. 

Janet and Raven met in 1998 while attending Southern Virginia University, a predominantly Mormon college

They would get married in August 2000 and Janet gave birth to their son Kaiden on October 17, 2017

According to Janet's sister, Sonja Flood, the two briefly separated as Raven wanted out of the relationship. He even temporarily moved out. 

'Very soon after that, she found out she was pregnant,' Flood added.

Janet's older sister, Dena Kendall, said that the expecting mother didn't want to be a single mother. The two reconciled and their son Kaiden was born on October 17, 2004. 

Christiansen also revealed that he once experienced the 'real' Raven Abaroa when the couple were visiting Janet's parents' home and an irate Raven accused him of stealing money. Christiansen was 16 at the time. 

'He said, "You took money out of my wallet. You took $20," Christiansen explained. 'I was shocked...I've never taken money from someone. … I was in disbelief.

Janet's body was found with multiple stab wounds

Raven initially claimed that his wife had 'been shot' however Durham Police quickly realized that she had been stabbed

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'He went on to say, "Well, in the past I've brought leftovers here and you ate them, so I know you steal things." … I sort of rolled my eyes at him, thought, "This is so stupid. How do you know? Just because I'm here and I've eaten your food before, I'm a thief suddenly?"' 

Christiansen asserts that Abaroa 'snapped,' adding: 'It still haunts me to this day. He said, "You don’t know who I really am and what I’m capable of." … Then he came over me and grabbed me really hard and slammed my head against the wall.'

Never reporting the incident to police, Christiansen shared that he regrets never telling his sister about the incident.

'I think that’s my biggest regret in life. I always wonder like, what if I did call the police? What if I put him on the radar as being a violent person?' he stated. 

In 2005, Abaroa said his wife had been getting ready for bed around 8 pm when he left to play soccer with friends, according to the account he gave police about that night. 

Raven met Vanessa Pond, a single mother whose daughter was in the same day care program as Abaroa's son Kaiden. Pond went forward in 2009 and accused her husband - who she also said was abusive - as having possibly killed Janet

He said he returned home after 10 pm and found Janet Abaroa's body with multiple stab wounds.

He initially claimed that his wife had 'been shot' however Durham Police quickly realized that she had been stabbed.

After his wife's death, Abaroa moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, with their son.

Raven Abaroa entered a voluntary manslaughter plea on March 12, acknowledging that there was evidence to convict him but not admitting guilt. A judge sentenced him to between 95 and 123 months in jail

He then met Vanessa Pond, a single mother whose daughter was in the same day care program as Abaroa's son Kaiden.

Pond went forward in 2009 and accused her husband - who she also said was abusive - as having possibly killed Janet. 

Raven Abaroa entered a voluntary manslaughter plea on March 12, acknowledging that there was evidence to convict him but not admitting guilt. A judge sentenced him to between 95 and 123 months in jail.

He was released on Christmas Day 2017 but was not featured in the '20/20' special.

'Raven still maintains his innocence. He says he still loves Janet,' Christiansen said. 'I don’t believe that. … You don’t cheat on someone you love. You don’t ruin someone’s life that you love. Looking back, I wonder if he ever did really love her or if that was just him trying to win her over to manipulate her.'

'The world should remember Janet as an amazing person,” Christiansen continued. 'Somebody [who] was kind, someone who was loving. Someone who would just show you how to be a better person. Someone who can make you laugh. Someone that makes you happy.”

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